What I was going to get at was that you can't let unions ask for too much (UAW and OC Transpo in Ottawa being examples), but they are necessary.
The purpose of a union is to promote the interests of its members (workers). Asking for a lot isn't necessarily bad. Protecting jobs and pay militantly isn't necessarily bad. Fighting for good conditions, paid overtime and fewer mandatory hours isn't necessarily bad. If something is truly unreasonable, then it challenges the interests of the workers. I expect my union to drive a hard bargain, I expect it to achieve the best possible deal.
I don't know much about UAW, and literally nothing about OC Transpo, but I absolutely support negotiation and almost all forms of direct action, including strikes, to get what's fair. However, correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't UAW cause the collapse of a certain company, instantly losing its members a large number of jobs? Tell me, how is that in the interest of the workers?
Syndicalism is a great principle - I am very proud to call myself a Trade Unionist - but when you make a deal, responsibility is required. If we were to make a demand, we should also demonstrate how it can be done. It means more control for the workers, more responsible and pluralistic management, and better conditions.