we would soon return to the late 19th century - with workers rioting with shotguns.

It's all about balance. And we are now swinging out of it. Businesses cannot make labor laws (can you say 'conflict of interest'?) and lobbying businesses are taking control of everything thanks to the current crop of idiots-in-charge. Like it or not, that leaves unions.

You say 'this is not the WV of the 20s', yet without unions, without the balance of organized workers that are permitted to operate as unions, with the power of unions, it would be like that PDQ.

Those that do not learn from History are doomed to repeat it.

Unfortunately, the arrogance of our current government does not acknowledge learning at all.