Unions

BabyHope2013

I am interviewing for a job later this week that is within a union in another organization than I currently as with. I have never been a part of a union before and have to say that is what is making me most apprehensive about considering this job. Obviously, I am going to the interview in hoping to learn more. This job is so much closer to home and pays more than I currently make. 

I also know that I do not have to be a part of the union if I don't want to with Right To Work---but don't know the implications of that either. 

So tell me about if you are in a union, what do you like and not like. Or what questions should I ask in the interview or at the time I am offered the job (IF I am offered the job). 

itsmevkb

I don't belong to a union but I do work for the government and I'll just say that it has been a big change for me just in how things are handled personnel wise.  It's been hard for me to accept that no matter how good a job I do my pay is limited to a certain small increase each year and that every employee gets that increase by default so even the under-performers are getting the same raise that I receive.  It's also been hard for me dealing with the idea that whomever has been there the longest gets the next available promotion despite there being people in the office with more real experience and/or better work histories.   Thankfully, over the 15 years I've had my job I have started to see small changes in some of the things so I'm hopeful that at some point things will truly all be merit based. 

poppy33

I work for a company that has a union. I was in the union and now I'm management. I would say if you take the job join the union. Even if you don't you usually still have to pay a percentage of the dues. There is a level of protection that is provided. As management I'm at will so I can be let of at anytime. I didn't mind it and they usually end negotiating better benefits for the company as a whole. I also don't understand the anti-union sentiment.

BabyHope2013

Thanks. To answer the question from the first poster--my concerns really stem from seeing quite a bit of bumping in my current organization in thier unions. I've seen some really hard working people laid off by people that can't match thier skill set and willingness to learn just because they have more seniority. Knowing that I'd be on the bottom of the totem pole for a while makes me nervous.

I'm an at will employe and have been for years. But I've also never felt threatened that I would lose my job to someone else---even though they could decide to let me go if they wanted to.

RedPeppah

I work in hospitality and we have a union. They aren't the greatest, so do your research on the union.