opinion of mandatory union dues......

[© tweed]

Option 1.  I would rather keep the money I earn than give it to a union.

You will earn more money as a result of the union existing than you would if the union did not exist, so despite the union dues that you have to pay, you're still financially better off with the union in place than you are without.

[© tweed]

You will earn more money as a result of the union existing than you would if the union did not exist, so despite the union dues that you have to pay, you're still financially better off with the union in place than you are without.

Falacy.  I was paid the same competitive rates as being non-union as those who were in the different unions at sea. 

Of course, because the unions still existed.  You reaped the benefits of the union without being a member.  (But this concept has been mentioned twice before in the thread)