jays82
Delphos, OH
age: 44
| To me it all depends on the company. I have worked places where I would not need one and then the current place where I am glad I have one.
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southbuster
Haughton, LA
age: 31
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bluvelvet
Phoenix, AZ
age: 41
| I'm employed by a large well-known union as staff (union organizer).
First, I chose to work for a union because I wholeheartedly believe in them. Many people are misinformed about unions:
1) In general, unions are necessary. Often, we don't stop to think about why we have the working conditions we do. Why do most people work 8 hour days? Do they think it's because "that's just the way it's done"? Or out of the goodness of their employers' hearts? The truth is, so many people (union members) DIED - were martyred, in their decades-long fight for the eight hour day. Not to mention, it's unions who have pushed for so many benefits we just take for granted, such as employer-sponsored healthcare insurance, breaks, vacation days. So, at the end of a workday, I like to give thanks for all those people who died so I could work eight hours instead of sixteen.
2) The comparison between union wages vs. non-union wages is astounding. I'd suggest going to the AFL-CIO website to check out the stats (no, I don't work for the AFL-CIO).
3) Yes, negative things have occurred in unions, including corruption. But that's true with ANY field: the government, the Catholic Church, etc. Some people have had disappointments with certain unions who didn't do much. But not joining a union just because of one particular experience with a union is like saying, "I had a really bad experience with Sprint, so I am DONE with cell phones!" It's up to you to do the research on the particular union, in your particular area - to see what they're doing. A good sign is if they're actively growing their membership.
4) Unionization is NOT bad for business. However, throughout American history, there has been a lot of propaganda put out by big business in order to disinform people. Why? Because raising wages means that the CEO will be getting less than his $50 million-or-so salary. Want to know why people are worse off lately than 20 years ago? Decline in union membership.
For instance, check out these statistics:
(from Holly Sklar, co-author of "A Just Minimum Wage: Good for Workers, Business and Our Future" and "Raise the Floor: Wages and Policies That Work for All of Us.")
"In 1980, the average CEO at a big corporation made as much as 97 minimum wage workers. In 1997, the average CEO made as much as 728 minimum wage workers...
Between 1980 and 2006, worker productivity went up 70 percent, average worker wages went nowhere, the minimum wage fell 32 percent, and domestic corporate profits rose 256 percent (adjusting for inflation)...
Even the state with the highest minimum wage, Washington at $7.93, doesn't match the buying power of the federal minimum wage at its peak in 1968. Worth $9.56 in today's dollars, the 1968 minimum wage was more than $2 higher than the scheduled raise in the federal minimum wage to $7.25 on July 24, 2009."
5) Unionization typically greatly improves working & safety conditions for employees.
What I would most recommend is, don't automatically believe everything you hear (including me). Instead, do your own research. Find out what unions have gained or not gained for the employees.
Good luck! 
[Edited 3/24/2008 7:07:10 PM]
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onelife2live
Janesville, WI
age: 44
| Good video south, but your pic is of you driving?
Bluvelvet..Thanks for the post.
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