As I look at Federal labor-management relations decades later, Neville Chamberlain comes to mind. Newer staff were generally on individual contracts but a lot of the ones who’d been there awhile were on the union’s collective contract, and basically everyone who worked shifts was on that agreement because it was such a better deal financially. Job security is another big factor as my mom was unfairly fired a year ago when she had been working with the company consistently for 20 years. I expect most readers (pro- and anti-union) will read this posting with attitudes that have become hardened over years. We the tax payers pay for these state provided benefits instead, yet there are less of us working because of lack of jobs, so those of us who are working have to be taxed even more. You can not be fired unless if you do something that is very serious and because of this, people can start to mess around and not take their jobs seriously. We can’t get our economy going cause the middle class is vanishing and fewer people have the money to spend, in turn that causes businesses to close down because there are not enough customers. State law says that any person working up to 6 hrs must have a break, anything over 6 hours must have a break and a lunch. Without unions you wouldn’t have the 5 day work week, breaks, health benefits, anything. I’ve seen union workers fired. I do not think I would go for a union job personally. I think the benefits of labor unions outweighs the disadvantages. At these Federal activities, labor representatives often advance into HR positions and supervisory roles, carrying with them a firm command of union perspectives and operations. I have seen way to many people abuse the system. I believe that unions are very beneficial because it allows people have health insurance. You NEVER have as much recourse without a union, it’s so much easier to lose your job with a union, easier to have your employer turn its back on you, easier to stagnate and get left behind. Actually when someone doesn’t know then its up to other 17. In my opinion, they have become corrupt and expended their usefulness. Dan Rojas, 28 years Local 11 IBEW and not regretting it. I would work for a union, they are taking money from me but at the same time I’m being watched over at work with security and insurance. But I’m specifically coming from a government background, and I have flip flopped before – and recently. I beleive that wage support, benefits, and ensuring the safety of work conditions is a benefit that unions have provided workers. You’d think your boss would be the public but the public doesn’t understand that Congress is the decision-maker (not the agencies, President, or citizens). Your State leaders do and are there to protect you. That is white collar fraud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The younger ones need to prove that they can bring a lot in for that union. I wouldn’t work for a union the reason is i could have invest so much time with them then they fire me then somebody that only work there for a couple months can get my job. There’s good and bad like everything else. I work for a “non-profit” non-union employer who happens to be a well known health care monopoly. Not in construction, most commercial/industrial construction jobs are done with less overall cost when union crafts are involved, this is despite the higher wages that are paid, the reason is because of the skill and training that union employee’s bring to construction job sites. Do your job. 30. It doesn’t take too much time! I wouldn’t be in a union because they would force you to do things you don’t want to do and they steal your money. The same questions arise. Getting Started 6 This is especially true if you join a local union and graduate from their apprenticeship program. Labor Unions are beneficial for every worker. We had be taught by our labor relations superiors to “Give the union nothing, and make it retroactive” and “Get away with what you can get away with.”  Those were the first two “Laws of Labor Relations”. $6,300 goes to the union from of 130 casual employees each and every month. They provide good health benefits and coverage. At least I know I’ll get a fair shake via third party arbitration should management ever decide to try to terminate me. They can represent employees in forums and other settings where they can show their creativity and negotiating skills. Being A Construction Worker The Good, The Bad, The Ugly & The Great. Did you know that labor unions made the following 36 things possible? How should they perform that function? A teacher in a provincial union has no incentive to excel or ‘go the extra mile’ because there is no chance of them receiving any additional compensation for exceeding expectations. I would rather work for a nonunion, as I would be able to negotiate, work for myself, and be more of an individual. The report estimates that union reps reduce voluntary exits by between 11,000-22,000 per year (7,000 – 14,000 in the public sector). I think i would be Pro-Union labor because Unions would help the poor and give the benefits to those in need. There are many employers out there who do not provide breaks, 5 day work weeks, benefits, or good treatment in the work place. That’s the kind of attitude the environment encouraged in everyone; it’s incredibly hard to work against the general consensus of the staff to be a standout hard working employee, especially when your managers still treat you like you were a lazy do nothing who was trying to waste their time. Example: You have an employee who works well and can articulate well with the public. This is really interesting because you would think that unions are in between good and bad. it is a bit demoralizing. Set some reasonable rules for these work places, but don’t charge people for something that should already be happening. Union workers get about 20 percent more in terms of wages (not including benefits) compared to others in similar jobs that aren’t supported by a union. But overall I’m all for unions in the workplace. I was not contacted.”. I feel other professions have more options, like opening your own practice, but we have to be in a unionized environment until we advance to management. If these workers are as bad as folks let on here, their evaluations should show as much, and it’s on management to take the corrective action necessary. What defines a “good” or “effective” labor organization and its leadership? This is because the range of activities in which a trade union official can participate on behalf of the union is much wider than for an ordinary member. In other jobs, employees sometimes get fired due to their race, and it is not fair. I think working in the union is better because the cons are really based on the people that worked there. When the building is built and the job is ending, a construction company will keep you working if they have more work and they like you, they will transfer you to a different job site before the current job site layoffs come. The good paying jobs are fewer, and the average workers pay has increased very little over the past 30 years. For instance, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median weekly income of a non-union worker was $860 in 2018, as compared to $1,051 for a union worker. Hustle hard, all day, everyday. I think unions are both good and bad. If there is a worker who is underperforming, that’s management’s job to take corrective action per their rights in the contract. The union has the authority and the exclusive right to negotiate with UC management on the amount of wages, benefits and working conditions that the employees will receive. Not many jobs offer health insurance, and a union does provide that for all their employees. Dirty hands mean clean money, for someone to work hard you need the right mindset and know that nothing in life comes free. Sometimes union officers have access to leadership that has front-line supervisors soliciting their assistance in getting mission-related matters escalated. there is also sorts of ( unionized government agencies) prepaped to defend your rights as an employee.. let me guess.. you have no confidence that this “unionized” agency will not have the competance or work ethic to actually defend you.. The use of unionized firms is adhering to the growth of a society. The Union does not provide those, your state law does. there are pros and cons to everything and this is just one of them. So yes some people have learned how to cheat the system, but also it helps those of whom, in terms that people would not have any form of rights and therefore, while they are not a positive, they are not a negative either. Without unions, many things like health benefits or free dental care wouldn’t exist. without a Union there wouldn’t be healthcare benefits, or minimum wages, it overall just makes sure that people are safe and being treated right. There are so many benefits within the Union that help everyone out, some big ones the health benefits and having job security. Wheater you donate directly or not, you still reap the benefits along with everyone else who does donate. While there are some cons to labor unions, overall they do more good than bad and people need to realize that. By the same token going into labor relations with a game plan of “Winning is everything”, may create and/or embolden the very monster we intended to slay. Empoyee owned businesses are a thing of the past if this continues. But I couldn’t get anyone to answer or return my calls. To me, the benefits of belonging to a union outweigh the drawbacks. However, Union negotiations can lead to wages and other associated costs being boosted to unreasonably high levels. Whistle-blower protection laws I think that they are good because they give the employer better wages, hours and provides them with benefits. The managers and union representatives attending became very nervous. If they would just be more reasonable, I’d pay dues and support them. Management could fight the union tooth and nail for the perfect candidate to be told “no, they haven’t worked here long enough.” It is truly a load of bull. Personally I can see both sides of an employer wanting to be apart of a union work place and a non workplace i am usually very open minded to these things. Since one of the reasons for unions is to actually have collective bargaining power, if I worked in a union job, I wouldn’t have to fight battles in my profession by myself. It keeps raising fees and has less power to negotiate for better benefits than ever. So if you are thinking of Unionizing stay away from them they just want your dues and to get control of your pension moneys. He was fired on the spot and received a 17 000 dollar payout due to wrongfull dismissal. Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII—prohibits employer discrimination I count count on my union to negotiate my pay to make sure that I earn what I’m worth. I can see why unions are important in a sense that it helps give the workers better wage, appropriate work hours, safe working conditions, etc. Job security also applies to changing jobs within an organization. Maybe if the union comes in, they can negotiate some money to enroll you into an English class, so you can learn about grammar, spelling, and the use of a period. I find such attitudes understandable, but disappointing. Regulation L: One of the regulations set forth by the Federal Reserve. All in all, unions are important to workers. Child labor laws are helping children not work anymore. I believe that unions do have great benefits for their employees. If you are someone who is depending on a job to feed and house your family, and you are living paycheque to paycheque, and your work is not giving you adequate breaks/time off/treating you like crap what recourse do you have? The U.S needs to acquire their citizens to be institute din education and the idea pf being more. To pay some dues/fees and deal with seniority is worth the health benefits and the job security that one receives. Their is no judgement due to your actions and also to what you say ; you can speak your mind if something is not fair, and i feel that is very good to have everyone say their opinion. To summary, Union is bad for those that likes to work hard and hones., Its good for people who are thugs that drop out of school and likes to be lazy and abuse their peers knowing they won’t get fired. Unions … I am forced to be in a union, as a fulltime houred “CASUAL EMPLOYEE’, and I receive no benefits like the other “FULLTIME EMPLOYEES”, I take no vaca/sick days, so I work more hours than them, and I have to pay $50 to the union every month. Maybe I’m wrong but $4250 per month should go to each owner employees paycheck not the administration fees for an overpriced bennifits package? Jenn, The unions protect some of the people who should be fired. My Foreman hired his little brother, then told me that he didn’t have enough room to keep me on. Good luck to anyone thinking about it. 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