While this is definitely something people should be doing, doesn't the attorney general only act out if they get enough complaints, or if the complaint stands out in some way?
Will they actually work with someone to resolve their specific complaint every time?
From what I've seen, at least the BBB will try to specifically address your issue with the company and is probably a much easier process to carry out before trying to take things further.
Or is there something about using the BBB that would prevent you from filing a complaint with the attorney general, or prevent you from going further with something like a lawsuit?
I think the vast majority of unions out there are good, but there are definitely a select few that give the rest a bad reputation.
At one of my previous jobs, our union was one of those that gives others a bad reputation.
It was a seasonal job, we had to pay the union whether we wanted to be in it or not. If we had an out of season work meeting for training, all of the money that we earned would go straight to the union and we might end up with a $2 check (if that).
We tried working with the union reps, but they just seemed so out of touch with our group. They would give themselves a big pat on the back for getting everyone a 2% raise and then raise the monthly dues... We barely made minimum wage so a percentage increase like that meant nothing to us.
10 years later and most employees working there are still just earning minimum wage while similar jobs in other cities nearby are earning twice that (at least).