Yes, they are, below the executive staff. This condition is no more than mandated by the state. Outside, in the world, the state provides a functional capitalist environment within the geographical territory and increasingly internationally with GATT, NAFTA, etc., with rights of persons, property rights of the corporation, but internally both the unions and the Human Resource Dept implement highly controlled and uniform personnel practices and control departmental decisions in a highly socialist manner. This is they way the FedGov has retained control over an entity (the country) that has grown vastly beyond any entity ever envisioned or that has ever existed on earth. They say America has moved toward socialism considerably, but the question is how and where, since we see mainly libertarianism and anarchy outside the government institutions. Corporations are the biggest government institution, and there plus other government agencies is where socialism is implemented.
It is true that the condition IS mandated by the state.
On the other hand, successful corporations have found that treating your employees well is a net plus for the company.
I work in healthcare, and in a free market (for qualified heathcare providers such as techs, nurses, etc) is so tight that it is a "buyers market"...They have to treat people better both in benefits and pay, or you go under. There is a valid reason union memberships have been dropping.
Of course, if the pure capitalists were allowed to collaborate on these things, that would probably change!