Pros and Cons of Worker's Unions?

Question

I live in Florida which is a "right to work" state. This means anyone can be fired for any reason or no reason at all. I am considering two jobs; one is union with British Airways and one with a Real Estate company posting their rental listings on the web.

The airline pays $12.75/hr plus bonuses up to $200 a month and is close to my home working in an inbound call center taking or changing reservations. It is union which one has to pay dues for, though I don't know how much that costs is or what benefit it gives.

The real estate office if further from my home paying $12.00/hr in a more intimate setting, hosting photos and descriptions of rental properties, which I think I would better enjoy.

The real estate company could fire me at anytime by our state laws, but I'm not sure that the airline could without just cause, being union. At the same time, in a union the last to be hired is the first to be laid-off.

I will give 5 stars to any union or former union employee to assist me.

Answer 1

I don't think think the answer to your question lies in the fact that one job is Union and the other is not. Unions have helped with workers rights a lot over the years and the pay and benefits you would get from the airline is, at least in part, due to the Union.

The real question for you is: Do I want to work for a large company or a small company.

Large companies have lots more structure and rules for advancement and pay. Many, like this one, have unions to help the workers get the most out of their jobs. They are often more strict because of that size and the Union rules that keep everything fare to everyone, but because they are large there are sometimes opportunities in a large company for movement and advancement that you will not get in a small company.

Small companies like the other one, really get their working atmosphere from the owners and the people you will be working with. They are often more flexible because they can be.

My suggestion is to gather as much information about both from people that work there and make a decision based on how your working style and they type of people you could spend every day with.

Answer 2

I have worked for both union and non union companies and found faults on both sides!
Dues can be from 2 hours pay per month or more!
Pros-Union - once you have your time in you recieve full benifits ie:insurance,pay packages,some job security,union backed workers agreement....!
Cons- not vested union cares nothing for you,what the union says you pretty much have to agree with,dont fully rely on union backing they are well known to pick their fights.....!
Non union work can be good in the right field and you are a good employee but that does not say they will never fire you.
One point is this get your license for real estate and work for the training and knowledge you get then in 2 or 3 years open your own buisness!You should then have a good back ground in the field and if you keep good with your clients they will work with you and send buisness your way.

Answer 3

I would go with the union--with caveats.

First, unions provide a >limited< measure of protection against bad management or other workplace problems.

Second, unions themselves are power-gathering and protecting organizations. They protect the largest number of members possible, for the most obvious causes. Because they have a long history of adversarial relationships with employers, you are inevitably joining into a group with an established mindset of "the boss is our enemy, we have to fight them every step of the way to get a fair job package."

Are there alternatives to being at the mercy of your employer, or playing the power game between yourself, the union, and the boss?

Yes. Join a group that works along consensual lines, like a work cooperative--or start one yourself. Then you at least have equal-decision making power with your other coop members/shareholders.