It’s a Jungle out there.
It seems to me that the scales have tipped a bit too far toward the shareholders and away from employees (and I’m not sure how customers are making out.) There are three constituent groups in our universe. Each, if they believe in themselves, has the ability to take care of themselves. Shareholders elect the board of directors and generate a strong push for maximizing shareholder value. Customers may form groupings to maximize customer satisfaction and generate buying power. Employees have the option to form unions to give themselves a voice.

Back to the Question
Why do unions matter? The question assumes that unions do matter. The employers Board of Directors matter because the shareholders have insisted that they function. Unions matter only if employees believe that their voice matters and then only if employees make their union(s) strong enough to have an impact. If people are as important as profits, if people are as important as products, then unions should matter. It is our right to form a union. Once formed, it is our responsibility to make it strong enough to matter.

Why do unions matter? Unions matter because employees understand their value and join together to make them work. Does our union matter? Certainly our history says YES. But let us all understand that few things are certain and it takes hard work and commitment to make good things happen. Only with continued support and involvement can we extend out history forward. I’m reminded of a song. Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me. Let our union be strong and let it begin with each of us.