If you have two people equally passionate and capable about doing a job, but one wants more money for fewer hours and the other is happy with less money for more hours, why should the more costly, less productive person get the job?
Exactly! And of course this ought to go further and only the desperate are ultimately deserving of that job. They won't even demand safe working conditions. They'll be grateful for the opportunity. It's not slavery if the employer doesn't "own" that person.
I'd prefer our improvements and working conditions come through the political process. That way it remains fair across the board without the lucky few who make it into unions, which nearly always become a good 'ol boy network, handing out favors to someone's cousins first, or beating the crap out of people who dare to not join them.