So, if I understand the abbreviations correctly, the company(CO) solicits employees from the union leader. The union leader chooses and sends union members to the job?

In your case, who signs the paycheck to the union members?

Twaldrop4. All my information is based on the fact that we were once UPIU then Pace and now USW paper mill. Will say there is a lot of difference between the USW steel mills vs USW paper mills. Not saying we are better or worse but I believe you are correct in your assessment in leadership of the union. Don't know of any full time union officers in the paper side of USW. we all have a regular job to go to, weather it's a day job or working swing shift.

You’ll get very mixed opinions, obviously. But I’m like Travis- Trade Unions guys and The load of workers in a plant are 2 different types of people. IMO

I’m an HVAC/ Industrial Mechanic and Plant Operator for a Google Data center. I’m Union and would bet that I make better money and have better benefits that any other tech/mechanic in Northeast Alabama. I’ve always felt that I’m one of the best people around at what I do, though, so maybe that’s why.

We have a crew of IBEW guys that are part of our operations team, some of them are also Operators. I’ve seen non union electrical guys a lot through my career and these IBEW guys we have would smoke any that I had ever met. They are sharp.

You’ll have trash on both sides of the fence, no doubt about it, but I do see a different level of pride from the Union guys that I’ve recently spent time around- whether it be welders, mechanics or electricians.

As far as the topic that Wiley mentioned- my Full coverage family insurance plan( health,dental,vision), my annuity and local and national pensions are not deducted from my hourly wage. I’m paid my hourly wage and then on top of that I receive my $16+/- package that goes into Insurance, Pension& annuity.

I’ve had good experiences with Union, but I know that doesn’t go for everyone.

I was talked into joining a union. Spent 5 years going through an apprenticeship. Was constantly told it gets better when you top out. I was told how the union stood up for its members and always did the right thing. All lies!! Unions are corrupt , there’s more unfair treatment and back stabbing in unions , bottom line I wouldn’t trust a union again.

What type of work or Union?

I'm a member of the USW and ill tell you straight up its nothing short of an organized scam. The only people I've seen them actually go toe to toe with the company for, is the people who shouldve been fired decades ago. Like said before, there was a time when unions had some bargaining chips but with today's markets most dont have any leverage to negotiate with and are just there to scam workers out of money.

unions are a good way to negotiate your self out of a job may be good in the short term but look at detroit nuff said. your employer is only gonna put up with so much profit loss and BS before they relocate operations.

Your right the Co. is only going to put up with so much P/L before they move or discontinue operation. Has UAW hurt their selves in the past, probably. Has only union plants relocated because of the BS, not sure but will guess and say no.

I guess part of my problem with this is, IF wages and BS were the reason for leaving then why are we paying a lot more for the autos we drive.?

There was an earlier thread about someone's livelihood and all were saying man up and ask for a raise or drag up and find other opportunities, what's the difference?

I’ve heard that local Hospital raping employees earned vacation time and completely taking away long term sick time. Also heard EEOC has been contacted. Never had to worry about anything like that in the union.

I've been in CWA 3902 for almost 30 years. Ours has changed throughout the years and I don't see as many low life workers as I used to see. It's not because of the union, it's just the change in workers. I see good and bad and I've always had a problem with the union sending money to the democratic party but I also understand that it's because democrats support unions more than republicans. I can say I would never make what I make without the union here and I wouldn't have the training I have if not for the union. In our case, the union makes things more even as far as training and overtime equalization that otherwise would be given to the bosses' favorite kiss ups. I have seen good and bad throughout the years but overall I see the need for it here. My dad was a career management employee and he would always say he liked the union because anything we got would also raise the management higher as well. I very rarely see any issue between craft/management because of the union. If I do it's usually someone who makes that an issue, usually a bad employee all around on either side.

So you voted for hildabeast?

Asking this is like asking a lifetime Republican or Democrat politician why they chose their party. It was the party that made them the most money.😄
Some Supervisor's are salaried and may not be a part of the union. If your supervisor doesn't like unions your job could be a nightmare due to more guidelines. Some companies are anti-union and don't want equal pay it hurts the bottom line. A few don't care long as the work get's done. If a temporary employee works for a company makes $15 hr and the same company worker $40 hr, but do the same job is that fair in a non-unionized job? The person making $40 don't care if the $15 worker made $7 longs as they make their $40. Union or non-union how does one or the other benefit you? That is what it is all about how one or the other benefits you right? My take on union or non-union jobs.

There are a lot of non union folks who voted for hildabeast, don't assume because we pay union dues we always voted democrat. Never have and don't plan on starting anytime soon.

And if you have any age to you your parents probably voted democrat.

Wasn't directed at me but I will answer

The millions/billions of dollars that unions contribute to democrats have a lot larger voice in policy making than your vote does.

1. I walk into Henry Ford hospital with a Detroit Free Press newspaper. It is literally grabbed from my hands and thrown in the trash because the union was striking and supporting "scabs" would not be tolerated.

2. At the convention center in Pittsburg, I needed an extension cord ran to a projector I was going to use for a presentation. Can't walk over and grab one and plug it in myself. Nope, I have to wait on some union member to walk over grab one and plug it in for me.

3. I was waiting for a operator to start a computer job for me to start testing some important software upgrades (old mainframe days). Had to wait until he finished his mandated union break. I couldn't walk up to the command console and submit it myself, other wise I was talking food off his family's table.

I worked at USW mill. Pay and benefits were great. But the union basically kept the sorriest people working. A sorry worker will get a promotion before a hard worker if they have any time on them. I mean can hire on the same job on the same day and the one with the older birthday wins. I lost faith in my union when I got laid off and they called me back to take a position paying $110 per hour less and rotating shifts after I had paid my dues to get to a straight day job and they didn't stand up for me and help. I won't be taking another USW job I can promise you that.

It’s true that, historically, union and dems go hand in hand. That being said, the dem party has moved into full blown socialism. There is, in the IBEW at least, a steady shift taking place. The old guys are being replaced and the membership is moving toward the right. Most of the union guys I know will stand flat footed and tell you they voted for Trump. I follow the IBEW FB page. It has moved more and more right to the point I’d say the majority are Trump supporters. Ppl are smart enough to realize that it’s a strong economy and job market that makes a strong union... not the other way around.

Life long conservatives like myself are becoming the norm instead of the exception.

I worked hand in hand with a bunch of em during the Unit 1 restart at Browns Ferry. My company also supported some projects on the operational units. The guys we would get on the operational unit projects were TOP NOTCH. A bunch of the 558 guys we got on the Unit 1 restart effort weren't worth a damn plug nickel. Downright, flat out, sorry, lying, good for nothing leeches that would bust their arses at one thing and one thing only.....avoiding work. There were a couple of them I would love to have punched in the mouth with some of the chit they pulled and lies they told before I finally said piss on all of this and went back to the aerospace industry. I would rather go hungry than to have to work on a team with several of those cats again. And the sad thing was....the union went to bat for them...every single time.