Union/ Non-Union Jobs

[Peach]

Hey All,

Some of you may know that the economy hit Mike & I about 6 months ago. He was "furloughed" from his railroad job of 16yrs. They were to go back the 1st of Oct, then...the LETTER came. They've pushed the date back 3 different times. As of now, it's left that "hopefully by April" they will be able to bring back employees.
We've riden it out the last few months with unemployment and savings, BUT the time has come to look for another job. One good thing, the company has continued paying all the health insurances, hoiday pay, AND our Y membership. Side jobs are not abundant in the area (He's a certified welder & Air Brakeman and also, a jack of all trades).
Mike has 15yrs of employment paid into his SS. They last 16yrs has been paid into in RR retirement...from our understanding, he can only draw off 1 OR the other. Needless to say, that choice is w/ the RR....but no luck there!!! He's even looked into relocating.
He spoke with a friend today & has a meeting set up for next week with the local Pipe Fitters Union. I(we) know nothing about the Union. Sooo, my question is......could someone please elighten us on the pro's & cons of Union employment. The only thing I equate them with is a "STRIKE"

On the bright side, I decided to go back to school!!!! @ 40
My 1st day of class was Tuesday!!!!

[roni]

I have worked union and non-union as a Ph.D. level researcher.

I have had better raises as a member of the Faculty Federation here than I did as a non-union researcher in Illinois. I have better early-retirement options that will allow us to move to Mexico at a slightly younger age.

I am satisfied with my experience of being a union member. Never any mention of a strike around here.

[_Josephina_]

My husband is a 10 year member of our local Pipefitter's Union. We have great benefits, our work has been more stable than the non union sector, safer working conditions, and great family support, etc I'm a big union fan. My dad and husband belong to the same union and I have never wondered how to pay a dental bill or how I was going to fill a prescription. I'm not well versed on how unions are run in other areas but for our province it is top notch. It isn't perfect and I could definately gripe about a few things but overall we are very proud to belong to the local. A huge perk for us is that Mr J will be eligible for his full pension at 47 because of the pension plan that the employers pay into on his behalf. He is not going to retire then but it is nice to know that our future is somewhat thought out.

Here is a current example: last night something went "oooops!" at my husband's refinery. Today he went in for his regular day shift and only worked 4.5 hrs. He went home to sleep and was paid for the remainder of his work day. He had to go in for nightshift and because it isn't his normal shift it is a double time premium. He is disrupting his life and daily cycle and built into his union agreement is a plan to adequately compensate him for this disruption.

I hope that your husband can find work quickly Employment/financial issues are very stressful!

[Mercy]

My husband has worked for a company with a union for the past 30 years, it has served us well. I would say the pay, benefits, security are better than non-union for the most part. He is also a union steward now.

There is always the possibility of a strike, and we all sweat it out every 3-4 years when the contract comes up for renewal. We've actually been through maybe 3 or so actual strike situations. I think the longest was 21 days??, but not sure. They are not fun, but you just prepare for them. However, all that said, I think in the long run our family has benefited from working for a union.

[Doggiemom]

I am a union memeber at my job.....our union is a joke!

[Peach]

Thanks for the comments!!! From what I've read, sounds as if there's nothing to worry about....a job is a job!! I guess the main thing we are concerned with are stability, benefits, and pay.
As I stated before, I know nothing of the Union or how it operates. I just wanted some insight.

Thanks again & keep your fingers crossed for him!!!

[DarMI]

A union job has treated us well too. Hopefully Mike will find a job soon. Good luck with school, that is great! Try to keep warm this winter!

[Skiptown]

As President of our local I have come to see the importance of unions.

Seniorty at your job--- thank your union

Progressive discipline---thank your union

Holidays off and paid --- thank your union

Vacation and sick leave---thank your union

The ability to grieve a wrong ---Thank a union

Insurance --- thank your union

Weekends--- thank your union

I know many non union jobs have some or all of the above but it was the unions that worked hard to make this way.

[Brent & Kim]

Unions are good for the most part but they are also responsible for the higher cost of manufacturing durable goods which has lead to jobs being performed in other countries. In many cases the worker is overpaid for the job performed, IMO.

[D33RHUNT3R]

Union Shops around here cant stay in Business because they cant compete with a Non Union shop ..I live in a Right to Work State..

It doesnt take long to see the difference in the Bills.. If people what to know who pays for all the regulations,fringe benefits, and new business taxes and wage increase and social programs...
I got news for ya it isnt the RICH guy that owns the company or a stock holder.. the company just raise the prices of the goods and pass it on to who YOU the Consumer... So every time Congress or the President tells you how they are going to soak the RICH guy its a LIE.. remember He is just going to pass on those costs to YOU..

Some of these Unions have a way of Pricing themselves Out of Business ..

[Brent & Kim]

Originally Posted by D33RHUNT3R

Union Shops around here cant stay in Business because they cant compete with a Non Union shop ..I live in a Right to Work State..

It doesnt take long to see the difference in the Bills.. If people what to know who pays for all the regulations,fringe benefits, and new business taxes and wage increase and social programs...
I got news for ya it isnt the RICH guy that owns the company or a stock holder.. the company just raise the prices of the goods and pass it on to who YOU the Consumer... So every time Congress or the President tells you how they are going to soak the RICH guy its a LIE.. remember He is just going to pass on those costs to YOU..

Some of these Unions have a way of Pricing themselves Out of Business ..

In a nutshell.

[roni]

Originally Posted by D33RHUNT3R

Union Shops around here cant stay in Business because they cant compete with a Non Union shop ..I live in a Right to Work State..

It doesnt take long to see the difference in the Bills.. If people what to know who pays for all the regulations,fringe benefits, and new business taxes and wage increase and social programs...
I got news for ya it isnt the RICH guy that owns the company or a stock holder.. the company just raise the prices of the goods and pass it on to who YOU the Consumer... So every time Congress or the President tells you how they are going to soak the RICH guy its a LIE.. remember He is just going to pass on those costs to YOU..

Some of these Unions have a way of Pricing themselves Out of Business ..

I take it that is an anti-union vote.

Have you ever belonged to a union or worked in a union shop?

[FrankO]

How involved are you or your co-workers.

Originally Posted by Doggiemom

I am a union memeber at my job.....our union is a joke!

This is what union means to me:
Collective bargaining. Many voices are better than one.
Better training and, subsequently, higher skill sets.
Safer work sites.
Better wages and benefits.
Better job protection within the law.
Better wages lead to better local economies.
You must also be willing to commit of your own time to contribute to your union.
Or you just pay your dues and be happy you have all of the above.
I suggest you start aflcio.org - America's Union Movement and I think you will see more than the action of "strike", which is a last resort, as to what organized labor is.
Congratulations would sum up my feelings.

[_Josephina_]

Unions and the industries in which they participate in vary drastically.

I think that unions raise the standard of living for everyone. The non union sector is able to price themselves below the unions, however, all the wonderful benefits and safety measures they use are a result of unions (IMO, and backed up by a few economic courses that I have taken ) We have several large union/non-union projects up here - but the only one that had a huge building collapse due to faulty construction has been the non-union. My dad had one large project where they had to go behind a non-union job and fix everything they had done - to the tune of a few billion dollars

I think there is room in most job markets for both. Both have there pros/cons. We have never gone on strike but we did have a 6 day "information picket" a few years ago. We knew that trouble was stirring for a few months before it happened so we were able to adequately plan. The crews were working insane overtime at that time anyways so many actually enjoyed the reprieve!

[sctx]

union or non-union...ya'll are suckers to be workin for the man