Got a buddy who has a small machine shop. A couple of old lathes, milling machine, and a surface grinder.Public unions are not like labor unions, they are way worse. They go against the people they “serve”.
Local air force base put out feelers wanting machining work. He asked other people with federal contracts, and they told him to take his regular rate and triple it. He couldn't believe it, but did it. His was the lowest bid. Now his shop has five Haas 5 axis machines.