The public sector is one of the few places that <i>needs</i> a union.  There is no competition, no free market to determine wages and benefits, and often no private sector equivalent of the positions involved.  There is one monolithic, powerful entity that doesn&#x27;t move quickly or respond well to changing labour market conditions, and many small, powerless employees whose skills are not always transferable to the private sector.<p>Without unions, it&#x27;s a setup that would almost guarantee abuse.  Unions are certainly not ideal, but they are necessary for that kind of industry.