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Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z
Good point but, given the vagaries of the job market and economy, one's in-demand status can change quickly. Granted, that alone shouldn't guide one's decision, but feces occurs and a good union can be a big help if for nothing else than finding training and a new job when your skills become obsolete.
And I don't see how a union would necessarily hold them back. I've seen plants where the company and the union co-operated for the good of all. Although it is an us-vs-them relationship all too often, it doesn't have to be.
I'm not particularly pro- or anti- union. They have their place but aren't appropriate for all situations. If you work for a good company, then you don't need a union. Not all people are so fortunate.
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It is also VERY common for companies (such as the one I work for) to own and operate both union AND open shop at the same time. simple legal loopholes to dance around. We split in 2005 from our parent company, and currently own 7 other Open shop outfits, and work with them hand in hand. There are occasional rough spots, of course, but mainly all moves along smoothly.
If I didn't like where I was working, for whatever reason, I would move on, Union, Open shop.....Whatever. My choice. Just like it is yours.
The men who work for me are highly skilled due to required apprenticeship training, and are extremely hard working. They deserve every penny they get.
The comment regarding a skilled in-demand employee having leverage in their workplace is partially true, but at the same time naïve. Walk into your bosses office, and ask for a cost of living raise (does anyone remember those??) Now run the same scenario with your boss with 35,000 of your brothers at your side............That's leverage.
I don't mean to come off as a book-pounding hardcore union guy, that's just not who I am, I have, and would work on both sides of the fence without any qualms. I just happen to like where I'm at right now.