Unions must protect, not placate

Nearly 1,200 members of the Shenzhen Trade Union, who were dispatched to assuage aggrieved employees at Foxconn's factory in the city's Longhua district, showed "good progress" after eight days of effort, the Chinese media reported on Monday.

The union members had candid discussions with (Foxconn) employees, coordinated communication with the company management and organized recreational activities, the papers reported.

Remember this: The unit employs 300,000 workers, yet has no trade union.