Labor Unions?

[kork13]

This is mostly out of curiosity... Over the last number of months, I've heard talk of the UAW, and now today Obama issued three ExOrd's regarding labor unions and associated workers.

So what is all this "labor union" stuff all about? What are the benefits to a worker, and to a company, when labor unions are present? What are the negative aspects of unions?

All I know about unions is the negative impression of them that my mother has. She has been an elementary school teacher for the last 25 years, and has always refused to become a part of the teacher's union. There have been times she has said it has made things better for her, and other times where she admits she may have missed out on certain things by not being a part of them.

I'd just like to hear everyone's thoughts on the value and necessity of labor unions, and try to get an understanding of the pros/cons of labor unions, on both sides of the coin (employee/employer). So....what's the point?

[Angio333]

I am a member of union, and I work in public safety. We are forced to be a member. We still have to pay if we opt out.

In the 9 years that I have been a member, the following is what the union has done...in my opinion:

# 1

Steal $50 a month out of my paycheck

# 2

Defend employees for actions that are Indefensible.

# 3

Fight to get employees jobs back who should have been fired

# 4

Get crappy 3 year contracts where are pay raises didn't even get us half of what prices/cost of living increased due to inflation

# 5

No notification of "emergency" votes except to certain members with certain jobs (our union is made up of three different jobs)

# 6

Twice they passed (due to # 5) "emergency" extra union dues of $100 to help fund a lack of money due to # 2 and 3.


Thats all of the benefits I can think of. As you can tell I am not a big fan of unions.

[Goldy1]

The UAW is quite a different animal than say a government or school union. ALmost all teachers want a union. You are tenured at 5 years and can not be fired without a trial and just cause for instance. They bargain rules such as class ratios and healthcare.
I worked at a charter school wit hno union and teachers got fired for no reason given etc and no one liked being non uinion except for maybe a couple teachers.
UAW workers get paid when the plant shuts down per the contract.
My dh got laid off before a new guy at his job he worked at for 8 years. A union would prohibit such nonsense.

[maat55]

IMO, there are pro's and con's to a union, but as far as the auto industry, they are being choked to death by theirs. They should have a more flexible way to deal with compensation based on previous year profits.

If the company is in a down cycle. it should be able to adjust compensation accordingly, as with an up cycle as well. Demanding full compensation during an recession is unrealistic, hence the government bailout, paid for by my grandkids. Where is the logic in that senario.

[Bimmer]

I get a 401k, pension, good medical benefits, competitive wages within the industry and job security thanks to the union.

I have heard stories about other unions, good and bad. They can be very effective, but they can also be taken advantage of. Sometimes they also get big heads and go on strike before they should.

A lot depends on what sector you work in and who your union is.

[cptacek]

What were the three executive orders?

[GREENBACK]

Some unions are good and some are bad. I think a lot of the bad rep comes from unions like the UAW. They took things to the extreme and the result is a disaster for everyone. Unions can be an important bridge between management and labor. I know without a doubt I wouldn't have the benefits I have without my union.

I think union leaders and members should sometimes ask themselves if they are asking for more than they're worth.

[melissa15531]

My hubby is a member of AFSCME and he is a temp state employee. Either you join and pay monthly or you don't join and pay monthly. The union has already backed him up when someone accused him of doing somethng he did not, so they do stand behind their people. He does not get any benefits since he is a temp, but he did get a turkey for Thanksgiving. Im sure if he was full time there would be better benefits of being a union member.

[TBH]

I agree that there are good and bad things about unions, and there are good and bad unions too. I'm most familiar with unions in the education sector. Sometimes the unions keep bad teachers in their jobs because the contracts make it so hard for the employers to fire people. Sometimes the unions stifle teachers' ability to teach creatively, hence the need for non-union schools like charter schools.

BUT my overall feeling about teachers' unions is extremely positive. Teaching is a low-paying profession and the unions give good job security and good benefits.

My part-time job is at a union shop. I get paid sick time, retirement, job security, and subsidized health insurance. There is no way in heck the administration would give us any of those things if they didn't have to. All that we have as part-timers is thanks to the union.

[reptile411]

I am a member of union, and I work in public safety. We are forced to be a member. We still have to pay if we opt out.

In the 9 years that I have been a member, the following is what the union has done...in my opinion:

# 1

Steal $50 a month out of my paycheck

# 2

Defend employees for actions that are Indefensible.

# 3

Fight to get employees jobs back who should have been fired

# 4

Get crappy 3 year contracts where are pay raises didn't even get us half of what prices/cost of living increased due to inflation

# 5

No notification of "emergency" votes except to certain members with certain jobs (our union is made up of three different jobs)

# 6

Twice they passed (due to # 5) "emergency" extra union dues of $100 to help fund a lack of money due to # 2 and 3.


Thats all of the benefits I can think of. As you can tell I am not a big fan of unions.

AMEN brother. I miss being non union. For almost 8 years now being a union member has been a condition of my employment. Judging from your list I think we have the same union lol. Except mine steals $52 per month from me.

[EEinNJ]

Unions are a mixed bag. My FIL is a UAW retiree, I'm told he worked very hard until forced to retire with a heart condition nearly 20 years ago. He is in poor health now, and he would be in worse straits if not for insurance and pension. Union bashers forget that these benefits are part of our social safety net, and if not for them, either the government would end up paying, or we'd have many more poor, sick elderly people.
On the other hand, my SIL works for a construction union, and they are very connected politically, with the perks and influence that goes with that. Of course, here in NJ that's all on the up-and up.