Does being in a union benifit a person?

Question

i'm new to bein a meatcutter and would like to know if any 1 else is in a union and how does it help them? do u get better wages?

Answer 1

yes, it makes sure you dont get screwed over by your employer.

Answer 2

You, as people, have some say and can vote on contracts.  The companies have to make a legitimate case before letting you go (fire you).  Sometimes unions have extra benefits, that's part of why you pay union dues.  If you have concerns of equal rights you can talk to your union representative which will be able to inform you of how you can handle the issue.  I'm sure there is more the union can do for you.

Answer 3

As with anything in life there are trade-offs, and joining a union is one of them.

As a member of a union you have certain responsibilities and as such you will also be required to make some sacrifices with the benefits a union will provide.

Sure, you will be protected during periods of the contract, but often negotiations can and will break down which puts union workers on strikes. During this time, the union will be required to provide strike pay to it's now, unemployed workers, and the minimum is 50.00 per week.  As a member of the union on strike you are not entitlied to unemployment benefits.  Should financial need warrant, you may be forced to work outside the union houses and that may void your membership.  Unions have come along way since inception, but beware that they are a strong political entity, and as such they will often throw some of their workers, "under the bus" so to speak when some piece of federal legislation is on the table.  

No doubt you have heard horror stories as well as stories that put unions in a "hero light".  That is the trade-off mentioned.

My father in law was in a union 40yrs, paid his dues and worked only union jobs.  Often, it was feast or feathers during periods of negotiations, or work went to those who held a specific tenure with the union.  Sometimes that meant dad got a job, sometimes it didn't.  He was loyal to the end, and upon retirement his pension from the union was just a little under 700 per month after 40 yrs. His was one of the big ones, the Painters and Boilermakers out of California. Huge and powerful.  

One interesting point to consider.  In today's working enviornment, job protections are in place through various federal laws.  These are the same laws that all unions must follow at the minimum levels, and then they add some additional protections.  Not to say that unions are better or worse, but in some cases, depending on your personal career goals, a person can do just as well, if not better without joining a union.  Remember, as a union member, your dues are non-refundable should you leave the union prior to pension/retirement, or in the event of a long term strike forcing you to work elsewhere that may invalidate your membership standing.  Losing tenure can mean the difference between eating and bankruptcy through a union.  As a final note, once you have a TRACK RECORD that is not consistant with union protocols, getting work may seem next to impossible.  For some reason, and I am sure to hear flack, but they too will know this to be true, your name seems to get further and further down on the list for "availability", until at last your towards the top, but all the jobs are now gone...

Answer 4

I am not unionized...I am management. To answer your question, a union can be good to a point in that they ensure management treats the employee well and fairly. I have zero issues with the union I deal with (CUPE, Canada's largest) because we work together to resolve issues before they become bigger problems. A union forced me to be a much better manager.

Answer 5

they will stand up for your rights and most time a union shop has better pay and benifits.

Answer 6

You will get better wages and benifits, but the unions of today are far more corrupt than they use to be.  My husband was a sheet metal worker for 20 years and then had to go non union as the union was on strike for over a year, actually closer to two years, all but two or three of the shops in our area went non union at that time which was not enough to keep the local guys working so many dropped out just to have a job.  It was really a rough time for the local workers and many chose to work for the shops that broke the union so they could work steadly and not have to travel great distance and be away from home for months or a year at a time.  After working in the union for 20 some years when it came time to retire, actually my husband is on disability the union screwed him out of his pension he should have been getting close to $1600 a month and this was reduced to $245.00 a month, neither of us is in good health and we are barely making it.  

So it is hard for me to give you a justifiable answer based on what I know, but this is a good example.  This is hard as I was a union president, steward and served the union I was in well.

So about the only thing I can say it you will get better benifits and wages if it is a good union.  

It is a young mans trade as the work is heavy and dirty, but you have to make your own choices on what is best for you keeping your future in mind....you can check out this web site [e-mail] check out their sights and go from there.  Good Luck with your decision and God Bless

Answer 7

Union contracts lock in a lot of employment conditions. It's a lot harder for the employer to fire someone who is in the union.