For some, unions are simply organisations that allow workers to pursue their self-interests; unions allow for a particular workforce to fight for better wages, benefits and a shorter workweek et cetera. For others (radicals of different sorts), unions are an apparatus for workers to overthrow the capitalist system and establish a political and economic system based on, and coming out of workers’ control. That is, the actual workers will be making the decisions about where services, energy, labour, funding and goods will be distributed and not investors, managers and owners.
Regardless of what the conceived “purpose” of unions may be, they often function as a democratic force in society. In fact they are one of the only ways in which people can influence corporate and state power in liberal democratic societies (the type we live in).  Therefore, if there are a lack of unions in society, there is generally a lack of democracy. Without unions, ordinary people are not able to voice their dissent and interests in a powerful way to create constructive change in society and the workplace.
When managers, owners, and investors, have complete control in the workplace the workers are forced to deal with the conditions layed out for them. Workers find it hard to influence their working environment to more suitable conditions and have no say in how the business will be operated.  Without unions workers have to walk on eggshells to not upset the employer which otherwise runs the risk of them losing their job.
After WW2 a large effort was carried out to make people despise and even fear unions through film, television and other medias. There was also wide scale repression such as the Red Scare. This is all a natural effect of the contradictions within capitalism; it is in the interest of the owners and managers of society to exclude the masses from the decision-making process allowing for wealth and power to remain in their favour.  On the other hand it is the interests of the masses to control their own lives and seek out their own interests. Because the elite will always take opportunities to exploit workers we need unions.
The process of the elites of putting the people in their place, in all its different forms, is called class war. In this day and age unions in many ways are weaker than they were and, in general they are losing this war. Maybe it is time to step up, get organized and fight back -this time to win!

Down with the rich!

All power to the people!