it's somewhat (vs. all or none) about the kids...

Exaggeration on an otherwise useful point from Jason Riley in the WSJ...

"When the United Auto Workers walk off the job, no one pretends that they are acting in the interests of car buyers. Everyone knows union members want better wages, benefits, working conditions and job protections, and going on strike is an effective way to exert pressure on employers. The calculation is no different when teachers strike..."

Actually, it is somewhat different for many teachers, since part of their compensation *is* the value they place on helping kids-- in a way that auto workers are not likely to care about cars. So, that's a (gross) exaggeration. But the broader point still holds: for this labor market cartel, it's not nearly all about the kids.