Unions built the middle class in America.  If we are to escape the dystopian plutocratic future we are racing towards, working class solidarity is essential.  It's the only sure-fire way to fight for decent wages and benefits.  But at the same time unions need to understand that the concept of solidarity extends beyond the narrow confines of their membership to society at large.  The UPW has to not only represent and defend corrections officers, but also ensure that its members operate in a way that represents the greater public good such that people’s faith in government is not eroded.  Otherwise it becomes harder to fight the impulse of those who would privatize government functions that do not belong in the for-profit realm… things like running prisons.