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Unions are a great concept in theory, but in practice don't often work the way they're supposed to. Part of the problem with unions is that they are essentially just another type of corporation, and like any corporation they tend towards practices that maximize profits. Thus they collect dues from as many groups as possible but do their best to avoid any costly disputes - hence the saying in the warehouse I worked in that 'the union rep will always stand behind you - except when you need him.'
I also find your whole concept of only buying goods produced by unionised labour to be rather strange. What about industries where unionisation is impractical or unnecessary? And what precisely is the political statement that you're making here? Is it simply 'unions are good?' Because I would argue that this is an unrealistically simplistic stance on the issue. Unionisation is beneficial in some situations, but can be quite detrimental in others. In fact, as a whole, I regard unionisation in essentially the same way I regard communism - in a perfect world these ideas would be the key to solving the bulk of mankind's problems, but unfortunately the world we live in is not perfect and the practical implementations rarely if ever work out the way do on paper.
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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
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