> I don't see retail jobs as a permanent resting place for anyone.

So that means what? They get to be treated poorly in the meantime? Apple store employees are probably better off than Walmart employees, but unionizing helps (to some degree) to ensure it stays that way.

I think we forget that the (rather limited in the US) employee rights that we do have, even things as basic as not being expected to work 10-12 hour shifts 6-7 days a week were only won because of hard fought action by work unions (since individual workers have zero leverage).

Corporations are built on the premise of generating returns for shareholders. That is their number one priority, and whatever they can do to cut costs, including reducing headcount, wringing the most out of employees, treating them poorly, etc., they _will_ do (with few notable exceptions) so long as it doesn't damage their brand image and profits.