[JRKrause]

How is paying out-of-pocket for an insulated water-bottle / better shoe insoles any different than paying a fee for a union to collectively negotiate these things for you?

In both cases you, the worker, exchange money for improved work conditions. In the second case you are simply paying comparatively more money for larger returns.

[talldatethrow]

Because it takes people's freedom away to choose how to spend their own money. Plus it obviously adds another layer to siphon off your money too.

You get hot, so you want a ventilated truck. My feet hurt, I want a rubberized floor. My friend can't park so he wants 8 cameras on the truck. Mary has a bad back so she wants a hydraulic seat shock absorber. Eric doesn't eat at home in the morning so he wants more breaks so he can keep his energy up.

And on and on. When we could have all just kept more of our money, had extra money come to us instead of 6 different upgrades to the truck, and so on.