opinion of mandatory union dues......

[MODU]

There really are no reason for Union dues anymore, since unions can act as if they are their own company, and can optain their funding from other sources.

Of course . . . large multi-company unions are archaic and no benefit the union members nor the companies they are involved with any more, but rather stiffle American production.

[MODU]

if unions are so great, why must they force people to join?

Fortunately, I was able to get around the unions when sailing commercially, which was a good thing since MEBA 2 and NMU were going at each others throats over a potential merger of their unions. 

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.