Leave the union? Because there is so much job security outside of it? Because management is so receptive to ideas from low-level supervisors? Because 360-degree feedback is so effective at rewarding good employees and helping low-performers become high-performing Merck-bots? The fact is, the union employees have a role, as do (supposedly) the other layers of management. Yes, there are costs in $ and stress with this workforce. However, replacing these workers with contract workers...because floors won't mop themselves...only means that instead of paying the existing workers they will handsomely pay a contract firm instead, and absorb an increase in in-house contract "managers". It's an accounting trick, and unfortunately, people's livelihoods are affected. But hey, Human Resources was never a Merck strongpoint...it's easier to deal with FTE's than "humans".