Unions do not prevent leadership from terminating problem employees, they simply make leadership do their jobs properly as they do so. I am speaking from experience in turning around one of the largest chemical complexes in the US. My entire management team told me exactly what you just stated. I said horseshit, you are going to put these employees, who we had identified, on notice that they have three months to address their performance problems or they will be terminated. We did so. The union president became one of my closest friends through that process. We took that plant from the lowest performing asset in a fortune 100 company to its highest performing asset in 18 months. When I began, the backlog of grievances appeared endless. When I left there were none. We negotiated 3 union contracts during my tenure and paid the highest bonuses employees had ever received. This was possible because performance and profits went through the roof and we negotiated contracts on the principle that success needed to be shared fairly with those who made it possible.
Every workforce in the USA (with the possible exception of the armed forces where I have very little knowledge) has the right of representation if they so choose. Choosing to be represented does not make them evil, or in any way reduce your responsibility to them as their employer and leader.
I apologize for the long response. I cared deeply for my organization and felt
It my duty to ensure that they won.
A few problem employees can never be allowed to drag an organization down. It is a
Herculean task at the federal level, but it can be done, and it must start with a leader who will lead.