> For example only union workers being allowed to plug power cords into the outlets at trade-shows - at great cost - and similar shenanigans that basically seem to only increase cost and reduce productivity.

The fee for the electrician union member includes an inspection component, and imho it’s worth it.

This fee may sound unreasonable until you hear the story about some dipshit with huge power requirements and/or a daisy-chained nightmare plug their stuff in and cause problems for everyone — in a worst case scenario, cause a fire.

Source: a friend of mine who is an electrician who explained this to me.

Your idea that unions go overboard in the US may hold water, but I don’t think that this example is the poster child.