[quote=RCHRR]My union benefits far exceeded the benefits that I have now or any others in the area. I’ll leave it at that. Aldeer for the most part is gonna bash unions and their existence.[/quote

Just curious as to why you are no longer at your former union job?

Google for the LM2 for the USW and you will learn a lot about the Union’s finances. They are going to bash the crap out of Mgt but the LM2 will be a good source of data for you. Do your research do t just listen to the Union or the Company.

SBS you said the truth right there. you can always go get another job if you don't like your non union job and start over building up vacation again, never being fully vested in a retirement plan, and always starting at the bottom. because you sure don't want to be trapped in a union job at the top of senority with no way out.

I have never been in a union but the people I know that have been or is in one has better better benefits, better retirement and most of the time better pay than the people I know that is not in one. Ain't nobody that works for the railroad trying to get rid of the Union that's for sure. I do understand why anyone that owns a business would be anti Union. I also realize that they can and do protect people from being fired that needs fired. I also know a business is about making making money and they will and do work people for the least amount of money they can get away with that is just capitalism I guess. Always good and bad in everything.

My dad was a union man. Worked for over 30 years and retired. His union president embezzled a ton of money, ran off to South America with his secretary, and left the insurance plan in a world of hurt.

At 62 years old, my mom went and got her CDL so she could drive a school bus in order for them to have insurance.

Phuck a union, and phuck all the union leaders.

I grew up in textiles. I saw first hand what the unions did to our industry. Our employees not in union plants did much better than those in the union plants. All the union wanted was automatic dues checkoff.

Before OSHA, unions were necessary. You can't understate what the unions meant to the USA from the 30's to the 60's. Today, they are democrat leeches sucking the lifeblood from the american worker.

My following comments are with respect for both sides.. I’ve been on both sides of the fence. I’ve seen dead beat employees use unions to keep jobs they didn’t deserve. I’ve also been screwed by non-union companies. I quit both and both are now out of business. In today’s times in my opinion if you as the employee make yourself valuable to a reputable company that is managed well you will be taken care of. If not I would seek employment elsewhere. There are companies out there that without the unions would be taken advantage of financially and have poor working conditions and serious safety concerns. In these instances most companies don’t survive without serious layoffs and restructuring. The key is finding companies/unions that have good relationships with each other and have a commmon goal and are willing to work together much like our politics which is rare to find. I’m no expert this is just my opinion and experience. On another note Alabama is a right to work state.

They'll tell you to vote Democrat , they ain't got enough sense to know the Dems have abandoned them for illegal Mexican workers.

Good post Huck. Look at what unions did to the steel and textile industries in our country. Alabama has become a leader in automotive manufacturing because those plants are non union. If they were to unionize I would bet those companies would close the plants within 10 years. The unions in Detroit have driven manufacturing out of the country. And don't get me started on the public workers unions...

Unions are THE reason everything moved overseas. THE reason. Vote yes and vote yourself, or someone else, out of a job.

Mallard, you're doing the right thing before making up your mind. Continue to do your research so you can make an informed decision. I'll say this about many on here though, I believe most of them know very little about unions yet have a negative opinion of them anyway. So folks will better understand my position I'll tell you a little about myself. I am 60 years old and I've been a union member over 40 years. I'm in my 41st year at a large corporation. My dad was union so unions have affected my life since the day I was born. Lord willing I will retire a union man in a couple of years. I joined the union as soon as I was eligible and would do it over again without hesitation. Are unions perfect? Absolutely not, but they are not the devil as some here would have you believe. I've said this before and I'll say it again. If you are a working man you have better benefits because of unions, period. I draw a higher wage, have more vacation, sick leave, insurance and retirement benefits because of the unions work to make it so. The increased benefits carry over to the non covered employees in my company and other companies as well. People who believe companies are generally going to max out employee benefits because they care so much about them are fooling themselves. There are some out there that do but they are few and far between. Company greed is as real today as it has ever been and that greed will cost a working man.

I used to work in management for a union company. They would send faxes daily to the shop steward encouraging all the union members to vote for Democrats. Unions also cut into profit margins. Hiring lawyers and collective bargaining are very expensive. Most people I knew who were in a union were brainwashed by the the union to believe the company was evil and the union was the only reason that anything positive was done for the employees. The only time that greed is ever brought up is when it's supposedly on the part of the company. Of couse, employees are never greedy (sarcasm).

Been an union member for 32 years. Been in UPIU, PACE and now USW, I work in a paper mill. I will say there are good and bad apples where ever you decide to work. It has provided a good living for me and my family helped put my wife through CRNA school and has provided a good living for 1000's of people through the years. I will also say while I am active in the union I don't drink their kool-aide, don't always agree with their politics but they don't control my vote or a lot of their members. My opinion is depending on where you are located depends on if you need a union, example: Huntsville with a growing market demand for workers is high so good wages, a place like Selma you don' have a lot of choices so you go where there is a good wage. On a side we get no pension from USW. As a right to work state you don't have to join the union to get the same benefits that are bargained for dues paying members, which in my opinion makes you the same as the egg sucking demorats that everyone talks about, getting something for nothing.

Interesting thread.

Dad is a union Boilermaker. Been in for some15-20 yr. He works his ass off and has earned his way to where he is and the role he plays based off his work ethic, knowledge and leadership. It's not based on him being in so long. Theres guys that been in longer than him and they've never done anything more than the day they became a journeyman. Hes also had guys working under him or along side as super intendents, foreman's or General foreman's that were in there low 30's running crews of guys that been in for twice as long.

Maybe different unions operate differently..

I can also say that in a non union companies I've seen just as many dead beats hold a job as what I hear people say about unions.

I'm an hvac tech and havent really known about hvac unions till as of late.

From my understanding it's pretty much all union hvac guys that cover the arsenal in Huntsville.

First off, it depends on how the plant treats employees now. If you're treated fair and paid well then no, but if you're mistreated and feel abused with minimal compensation, then yes. It's really a case by case decision. For those who say leave, why should I jump from place to place instead of fight for better where I am? I may have already put 10-15 years of my life at one place. It's not always best to jump ship and run.........

So, for all you union guys...

Say I start work at your company tomorrow. Will I be treated differently by you or your coworkers if I don't join the union?

A union is only good for the folks that have seniority or are 20 years in. Other than that they are a liberal piece of work that hurt the working man.

And the plant you worked for closed didn’t it? Not being a smart a$$ because it caught me too. I worked in the coal industry for 8 years until I was laid off. I’ve seen a whole lot of sorry folks use the union as a crutch. At least around the mines. I’ll say this, as far as coal mines go, unions do a pretty good job for making the company keep the conditions as safe as possible, compared to non-union mines. That’s about the only thing I’ve seen them do good though.

Gonna have to update my ignore list.

Believe and invest in yourself, not a ponzi scheme that invests in hatred for America.

I can't speak for others as for me I will treat you the same, don't like it but that is my nature. The only time I will treat you different is in conversation concerning work, not a member not going to give you my time. When it's work time changing pumps, motors, valves etc. we are going to get the job done, you need me to get something I'll get it, I need you to get something you will get it.

I work in maintenance we have about 90 in the dept. about 10 non-union members and we all get along.

These Union threads are always good! I work for plantation pipeline and I’m a member of a USW Union. Let me dispel some myths....

First, Where I work if you are applying for a job that is in a different job classification,the company hires who they want regardless of seniority. The best man for the job gets the job. Seniority only matters for transfers and lateral moves.

Second, I’ve been in this Union for 5 years and I have never been told or received any information about how to vote in any election.

Lastly, I don’t know how it works at other jobs but our discipline policy is no different than other places I’ve worked. You get a verbal warning, and two written warnings, that can result in time off without pay, and then your fired. We also have a list of first time fireable offenses just like any other job.

I’m sure the deadbeat union workers exist and there are some terrible union situations but there not all like that and I am not a part of one.