Been dealing with unions for decades - from both sides of the bargaining table - and I’ll add my contributions to the list as well !
As a “summer employee” in a steel fab shop I’ve been in the position of that 16-year old grocery clerk. When seeking a teaching position I soon learned my dual major studies didn’t count as high as an EeD with a “teaching field” when it came to placement. In the construction/mining business it was too often “seniority over skill” when time came to demonstrate your expensive equipment. In government its always “seniority/connections first” regardless of the individuals’ education/personal suitability/capabilities to perform the duties assigned.
What’s really sad is unions could be such a strong force for “good things” in the workplace; if only they’d abandon the combative mantras of Lewis and Hoffa. >PS
I was once bumped by a janitor out of a transformer coil winding job because of seniority. He couldn’t even read a blueprint. This is not a knock on janitors.
Those “combative mantras” long predate Lewis & Hoffa!