What product or service does the UAW (United Auto Workers) provide?

They used to provide workers with a safe environment and reasonable working conditions. Now they provide auto companies with the burden of paying dead weight employees because they have seniority not because they are better workers than newer employees.

I wonder if any of the "Big 3" in the auto industry did not have to pay as high of wages as they do, if they would need a bailout. I am definitely not saying the workers should work for min. wage (I know it is hard work), but $30 + an hour seems a bit much..these great workers are doing fantastic work, but they are not saving lives. Just wondering again, what kind of state would the industry be in if say the wages were around $18-$20 and hour. Safety standards would be there still, but less expenses for industry could trickle down (and remember, not everyone works in auto industry, so response that no one would be able to afford a car would not be viable..heck there are librarians who buy new cars, have a house and live comfortably).