I’m in a right to work state (Utah); your statement pertains here.
But I spent my whole life in Ohio, and as God in heaven is my witness, there are entire occupations that you cannot even sniff, unless you are in a union.
There are some sneaky ways around it, in fact. Remember our old friend Joe the Plumber? Like many of the trades, in Ohio you must go through the union apprenticeship programs to get your professional credentials. I learned this from a former bf who wanted to be an electrician and quit the program upon learning the union would have claims to some of his earnings FOREVER.
You can work as a plumber or an electrician, but only under/for a credentialed tradesman. You had better not market yourself as a tradesman in the newspaper without certificication or you will get a “visit.” It is for this reason that people sell their skills as handymen and the like.
was as a SCAB at the local rag as a pressman,,,
IIRC there was about ten of the twenty of us that were hired
to bust their strike that were Nam’vets just home from the
war that needed a job to feed new families,,,
It was great fun to chase WWII vets out of the driveway,,,
Every nite at 7:00 THEY got a visit...;0)