are unions worth my money anymore?

Question

I used to have a union at my other job, needless to say, I didnt' need them becuase they were doing nothing while taking my money. they never did much to make me happy at my prior job and yet had the nerve to increase the workers dues. I had no choice, but I wasnt' happy at my job, I actually liked it. it seemed to me that everybody that was pro-union over there was lazy or had no reason to be there. they all wanted to know how much each person made, and godforbid that I get a pay increase while their shiftless asses were stuck at the same as everybody else.

I don't know though, I could be wrong, but my experience with a union has taught me that Unions aren't worth taking a job for. I'd rather get my degree and get me a career. I'd rather have my pay increase on my own merits, not on some Union negotiations. what's your take. I just don't think Unions work anymore. what's your take

I do have to add that my union did nothing but repeat the employer handbook policies, as if I was too dumb to read them. I'd read the handbook cover to cover the first day I received it so I knew what was up. so I was paying them to do somethign I already knew I about, hogwash

Answer 1

I agree 100%!

Unions had a place (and possibly still do) in certain professions. They were designed to protect the workers in situations where the employer was not likely to care for their best interests. Now, unions heads are the ones getting fat on the cash they draw in from the workers!

Unions do two things:

1) Keep bad workers employed
2) Keep good workers from receiving the raises and promotions they deserve

If you were the last guy hired and the company had lay offs... guess who's the first guy out? Does that make sense to you? Even if you do a better job, do you think it's right that the lazy hack in the corner keeps his job but you don't? I surely don't think it's right.

Unions also do negotiate very generous contracts for employees. That's true - and that can be very good for the employees. But when it's a state position that the union is fighting for, the taxpayers get screwed bigtime. For example, if the union negotiates employees to only pay 10% health insurance then the taxpayers have to come up with the other 90%. And guess what? YOU ARE A TAYPAYER... so who really wins?

Furthermore, if you go on strike you have no choice but to go on strike. When UPS went on strike several years ago our driver was DESPERATE for work... he was disgusted that he was on strike and he wasn't getting paid. He said he couldn't afford to be on strike. His wife was ill, they had medical bills, he needed to work and here he was on strike with nothing to say about it. It is a shame. My friend (a teacher) had the same problem... went on strike and she couldn't do a darn thing to stop it. Meanwhile, no income was coming in. That's just not right.


It's just nuts. I think unions are useless in most cases. I have always said that if a union came into my company, the doors would close immediately. I'm the boss, the owner and I call the shots. We treat our employees well and do all we can afford to do for them. I won't have some stupid union come in and tell us what to do.

Answer 2

It seems like there are two seperate issues here. The first issue being the benefits of a union and the second issue being the benefits of a degree.

Unions provide job security, but also induce laziness like you had mentioned. A person does not have to work as hard and will not receive repricussions for his/her actions. How often do you see construction projects miss deadlines associated with labor woes. Not to single out unionized construction but, the unionized employees in construction often get multiple breaks in a day on what is supposed to be a 40 hour work week. This ends up being closer to 30 hours worked a week. That is 25% loss of production each week during a project. Its hard to fire the unionized 30 hour worker because of the fair labor laws and his/her union support.

As far as a degree goes, several studies have been published in the last couple of years that the average person with a degree starts out making more than double a non-degree worker and retires with more than double the amount in savings. If you are motivated by money more than any other reason with your job, get into engineering or finance or management with school. You will make a ton more money than you probably are now and you get to control all those unionized people instead of being one.

Answer 3

Unions rarely help any workers current situation. They are an insurance company of sorts. When the union contract is up they will negotiate a wage and benefit package on behalf of the worker. Sometimes that will end in a strike and sometimes they are successful.

No matter what you think of the union that currently represents you, know this: It's the unions that gave workers the rights and pay scale that they have. If not for the unions blue collar work (trades) would be paid at a lot lower rate and there would be no resemblance of job security.

I understand your comment about lazy union workers, it's a disease in some shops and not only a union problem.

Answer 4

Yes Unions are necessary. Instead of Union think Profession.

Every UK School Teacher is in a 'Union' for legal protection and to ensure pressure on government for conditions and wages.

This is the same deal with Doctors, Dentists, Lawyers, Police and the Civil Service.

You try and piss off a doctor or a lawyer and you will find out how powerful these professional bodies or 'Unions' really are.

Collective Bargaining is what it's all about. Your Union hires/pays
individuals to negotiate and fight on your behalf. If you receive a cost of living rise in your job once a year, this has been thrashed out by negotiation between unions and employers.

Merit pay is OK if you want to sell your soul to the company goal, but there's no point in being at the 'top' of a low paid field of employment. Only your Union fights for proper pay levels for work done.

BTW- Nowadays a Degree is no magic ticket into well paid employment. Self-Employed Tradesmen are the people making lots of money these days as there is a shortage of skilled labour.
i.e. Plumbers, Bricklayers, Electricians, Joiners etc. As they work for themselves they receive all their own profit and are not exploited by a Board of Directors within a Company.

Answer 5

never quit the unions... for so many reasons .......

Answer 6

it's sound crazy...hey if u not happy with your job..then go find a better job.....