you really don't see the difference between just anyone saying this and the employer saying this? what you personally feel about unions is irrelevant; there is a very clear imposition of power over the employee here and manifestly why the laws are as strict as they are. just so no one willfully misconstrues what i'm saying: what's at issue here is that the employee's continued employment is contingent on their employer's opinion of them hence this is tantamount to an overt threat. saying you don't see anything wrong with what he said is like saying you see anything wrong with a teacher implying quid pro quo for sexual favors from students.