Well, Raindog, trade unions are generally organised on democratic principles. True, turnout in union elections is low and that reflects lack of interest in union matters from members. Since Thatcher emasculated the unions, with Blair following behind enthusiastically, unions are generally perceived to be impotent. Year after year of governments ignoring pay review bodies and imposing pay freezes has gone virtually unchallenged by anything other than words. Big and small companies can cheerfully refuse to recognise trade unions. Blame the unions for failing to update themselves by all means, and I might in part agree with you, but this unhealthy situation has led to horrors such as zero-hours contracts, no job security, full-time working couples unable to afford the rent, burgeoning food banks and the rest, all led by right-wing union-bashing ideology. Strong unions are a sign of a healthy nation. And we're not all Red Robbos. I've been a trade unionist all my life (still am, at 70) and I've seen how tough it is to resist the ruthless forces of that ideology. Working class people need strong trade unions.