the need/value/utility that unions served back in the day is unneeded.

Unfortunately, the drive to cut expenses is a powerful stimulus that has only been checked by unions and regulations.

That corporations happily offshore manufacturing to places that exploit workers suggests to me that corporate compassion for workers hasn't increased one iota.

Even many 'compassionate' companies turn a blind eye to worker abuse, and/or disregard for the environment until they are 'called out' on it.

Unfortunately, there is an oversupply of cheap labor on the planet, so worker exploitation is easier than ever... and many workers are simply too happy to have a paycheck to complain about being abused in the belief that it's better to be abused than to starve.