I don't think being in a union has anything to do with someone calling another employee "honey" it's just an annoying term people use, we have no union at my place of employment and I have heard it used other places where I know there is no union involved.

people I believe tend to use it to make themselves feel more comfortable and assume a relationship where there is none. I used to see it in places like diners and such where friendliness tended to garner higher tips. somehow from an older waitress who has earned her time it is not offensive. from a 20 yr old college student supervisor it most certainly is.