Yeah, I agree with this in principle... however California politicians made it a law that I had to join a union in order to work as a teacher. The California Teacher's Assn (CTA) took over $30,000 from me over my career - and they used much of it to fund the campaigns of leftist Democrats so hideous that I wouldn't deign to pee on them if they were on fire.
If I had that $30K invested reasonably - plus the far greater sum that I contributed to my own retirement (exclusive of the matching pension funds) - I would indeed be well off and probably not have to be working today.
There are MANY ways for the corrupt politicians and union bosses to tip the scale in their favor!
Like I said above, I dont blame most of the employees, often like you they have no choice and if someone offered me benefits I would probably take them - - My best friend who I call my brother works in a government job for a school district in Oregon, did the same thing before going up there down here in CA - - He often says if it were up to him most of the benefits he gets that regular people dont get he vote against, but he also says if they are stupid enough to give them he is going to take them - - He is honest about it, knows he doesnt deserve special treatment and will flat out admit it - - - - What I dont like are the Government employee suck ups who actually think others owe it to them - they sit there with a straight face and try to justify why they are owed more than the very people who pay them - - - - - the selfishness is just beyond my understanding - and oh boy the things they will say to try to justify it WOW