“I like unions, I just don’t think they’re right for my company” is one of the oldest tricks in the anti-union playbook

he wants to run a business where a union isn’t needed.

That is code for "I hate unions and will do my best to bust them up before they start". Same BS as when a company calls itself a "family". Total and complete bullshit to try and emotionally manipulate you to doing more for less than your worth.

That's how bosses have to phrase being anti union. "Oh we're a family here why do you need a union" shit

If a union isn't needed form one anyway, now you only have to do the contract negotiations once instead of doing the same shtick of "This is the payraise I can offer you, please sign if you are fine with that". There is literally no downside to having a union anyway if you are of the opinion your employees don't need one.

Now if you actually think a union would harm you as a business owner that equation changes and you have every incentive to invent reasons why a union is unnecessary anyway and how unions only exist in companies with crap working conditions. (Cannot speak for the US but at least here some of the best companies are well regarded by employees because of the union, not despite of it.)

"We want a business where a union isnt needed" is a massive red flag. Kroger said the same to me at an employee orientation in 2016, at the time their starting pay was 7.75 and working pressures massive, as I'm sure they still are.

He's basically saying the same thing by saying that. Wake the fuck up.

You should read Catch 22

Do you honestly think he'd come out directly and say "I'm against unions"? Wouldn't it be just as easy for him to say "I'm pro union and I'd support my employees if they decide to unionize" if that's what he believed? C'mon now