Current Events > my coworkers dont want to unionize

(+) Yeah! (+)

other groups like ours in other states (even Texas) are unionizing and our national counterpart is unionized

my coworkers think it would be a big hassle for no benefit though

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Unions are fine if it doesn't turn into a big formal organization like the Teamsters Union.

Then it becomes more about headcounts and membership dues. They stop fighting for the workers and start trying to benefit themselves.

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Smart co-workers.

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Solid Sonic posted...

it becomes more about headcounts and membership dues.

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dolomedes posted...

most of my co-workers over the years have been anti-union.

they did a great fuckin' job busting all the unions and convincing poor people that unions only exist to take their money. it's almost like your boss has a reason to hate unions and that reason is because it helps his employers.

oh, to be clear, me and my coworkers are all white collar 'professionals,' at least half of us have masters degrees or better

but I think we should still unionize lol

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Balrog0 posted...

oh, to be clear, me and my coworkers are all white collar 'professionals,' at least half of us have masters degrees or better

but I think we should still unionize lol

what industry are you in?

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there was a self-organized "engineer's union" at the last company i worked but in retrospect i think it might have been an inside joke of some sort

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Romulox28 posted...

what industry are you in?

the union we'd be a subsidiary (is that the right term?) of is the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


we are 'working class' just not blue collar

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TheMikh posted...

there was a self-organized "engineer's union" at the last company i worked but in retrospect i think it might have been an inside joke of some sort

I kind of thought this was a joke too but the negotiations in other states have turned kind of ugly, so Im sure its real

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We're likely to see another renaissance of unions in the next 5-10 years. Workers rights have grown to stagnant and as millennials age and cant neglect retirement any longer, will motivate them to make business front more of the retirement income like pensions of old.

Hopefully they figure out a way to keep this

Solid Sonic posted...

Then it becomes more about headcounts and membership dues. They stop fighting for the workers and start trying to benefit themselves.

From happening again.

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I'm part of a union and I see both pros and cons. You get a lot of protection, but there are some rules that stifle your upward mobility as well
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Every worker on the planet should be unionized

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konokonohamaru posted...

I'm part of a union and I see both pros and cons. You get a lot of protection, but there are some rules that stifle your upward mobility as well

there is no upward mobility in organizations like mine anyway

there are like 13 employees and something like 9 of them are direct reports to the executive director. its a super flat organization

not saying there arent potential downsides despite that but just that one isnt super relevant

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shockthemonkey posted...

What benefits have the unions got for people in other states?

higher minimum salaries (wouldn't impact me but it would impact others) and guaranteed health benefits for part-timers are the two big ones for me

actually just having a seat at the table when negotiating our health benefits would be huge. the person who handles the selection of our health plans gets her coverage from her husband's policy, so there's no skin in the game for it to be useful for us

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Maybe the workers are happy with their current number of electrons, you monster.

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Balrog0 posted...

there is no upward mobility in organizations like mine anyway

there are like 13 employees and something like 9 of them are direct reports to the executive director. its a super flat organization

not saying there arent potential downsides despite that but just that one isnt super relevant

For me it's the lack of negotiation over salary once you're hired. By union rules I'm not allowed to negotiate for a higher base pay even if my performance exceeds standards
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Godnorgosh posted...

Maybe they're comfortable. You're in public policy and live in a pretty cheap state.

oh yeah, definitely. I guess I just thought that given the rise of leftism right now that people would feel more, uh, solidarity? even if it was just a symbolic gesture. like its weird that we work with unions and praise them but dont think we need one, idk

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Balrog0 posted...

oh yeah, definitely. I guess I just thought that given the rise of leftism right now that people would feel more, uh, solidarity? even if it was just a symbolic gesture. like its weird that we work with unions and praise them but dont think we need one, idk

rules for thee and not for me. Fairly standard political thinking
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DrizztLink posted...

Maybe the workers are happy with their current number of electrons, you monster.

heehee

Balrog0 posted...

I kind of thought this was a joke too but the negotiations in other states have turned kind of ugly, so Im sure its real

Your employer sounds like a sizable company, so it's absolutely real. I'm not sure why your coworkers wouldn't be interested given nationwide trend you're describing, though I suppose other posters ITT have highlighted potential associated risks or caveats worth entertaining.

What other reasons have they given for their disinterest, other than the hassle, if any?

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TheMikh posted...

Your employer sounds like a sizable company, so it's absolutely real. I'm not sure why your coworkers wouldn't be interested given nationwide trend you're describing, though I suppose other posters ITT have highlighted potential associated risks or caveats worth entertaining.

What reasons have they given for their disinterest?

'just not worth it'

one of them is a republican who hates unions, too, lol

my employer isn't big though. well I wouldn't say so, we're big for our type of organization but we have less than 15 FTE employees

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