I could be in deep water here

Since I live and work in Sweden, my assumptions are based on Western laws and values.

I believe you can graphically explain changes in society with the help of Newton's cradle. One sphere at the end is lifted and released, it strikes the stationary spheres; a force is transmitted through the stationary spheres and pushes the last sphere upward.

The currents in society move like the balls in Newton's cradle, where momentum and energy are conserved with an elastic shock.

When trade unions began to form in the second half of the 19th century, it was a reaction (elastic shock) to the abusive relationship between employees and employers for many years.

Because the abuses had been going on for so long, there was a tremendous damping force in the elastic shock that for many years moved in one direction and led to laws and rights for workers all over the world.

Eventually it reached the point where it turns and, according to Newton's second and third laws, begins its journey to the other side.

Since many western countries have very well developed both laws and rights for workers in their countries, unions have almost played out their role in that part of the world.

I guess that the ball has started its journey back towards the middle since IF Metall's offer of both free membership and a 130% strike salary cannot get the workers at Tesla Motor Sweden AB to abandon their agreements with the employer in favor of a collective agreement instead.

It will be interesting to see if the ball stops in the middle or continues further out through reduced protection for workers in the future.