What are the negatives of having a union?

Question

My colleagues want to start a union and I have mixed feelings of joining the union. I know the possible positives but what are some of the negatives?

Answer 1

Unions were incredibly useful back when Jimmy Hoffa started them.  However, their need is passed, along with the rise of human rights

Unions cause inflation, since their effect is to artificially increase wages.  As a result, employees can immediately afford more.  By buying more, demand increases faster then does supply, so the price goes up restore the balance.  And then, the employees can no longer afford the product.  So the union goes on strike, and the whole cycle starts again.

Unions cause un-employment, because they drive up wages, and companies can no longer afford to employ as many workers.  So, they lay off.

Unions force all members to tote the union line.  Meaning to work for a firm that has a union, you MUST go on strike when they want, you MUST pay union dues, and you lose your individuality to excel at work and get paid and promoted more than others doing the same job.

Answer 2

I work for the State Govt. - our union is a joke. They don't stand up for us for anything, they are trying to change our benefits and pension and they have basically sat and watched it happen.

I think the only unions that are actually beneficial anymore are for blue color workers only - plumbers, electricians, etc.

Answer 3

A good Union can be a great thing if it's built upon the principles that Unions began with.  All too often now, Unions become as much "big business" as the big businesses that they were supposed to protect workers from.

I think it's a good idea to find out also if the instigators are particularly affiliated with a political party that you may or may not believe in.

Whatever your decision - right on for asking the question.