There's little doubt that Emiliano is right to a certain degree. But let's face reality, the roots to family are stronger in Spain than they are here in the US. As for the labor unions, there's no doubt they play an important factor in what is happening, but allowing big business to dictate what is, and is not acceptable, only leads to the demise of small businesses, throwing all these members of family owned enterprises into the mainstream of society, in need of jobs. That means the unemployment rate does not go down, it goes up. Making matters worse, the wages paid to the workers in big business ventures like Walmart and the rest is well below that needed to support a family, unless you're fortunate enough to rise above the lower positions to top management.
Family owned businesses are dying everywhere. If Unions are the savior of them, through their effort to maintain a fair lifestyle for their own people, I welcome them as a necessary evil to insure others can benefit from it, residually.
As for businessmen.... Spain, UK, US, it doesn't matter. The only thing that counts is the bottom line, and if they think they can feather their nests with money they don't have to pay out in wages and benefits, count on it happening.
As for the romantics amongst us.... count me as one.... keep on believing in family values. They only die when nobody remembers what they are, and the traditions are not passed on.
Wolf (A hopeful romantic)