Unions protesting everything from unfair working conditions to the use of nonunion workers have been hiring unemployed workers to join their picket lines and protests. Some larger unions have issues with using nonunion workers to protest, but smaller unions say that the practice helps them reach more people and helps out some unemployed workers. Some companies are speaking out about the practice, calling it 'bizarre' to hire protesters to protest about the hiring of nonunion workers. But the workers hired to protest do not have a problem, most saying that it is a short term thing until they find a long-term job.
See "To Protest Hiring of Nonunion Help, Union Hires Nonunion Pickets", Jennifer Levitz, The Wall Street Journal, July 15, 2010