What are the advantages of labor unions to workers?

[msc545]

ChatGPT says:

Collective bargaining: Labor unions negotiate with employers on behalf of workers to ensure better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Unions have more bargaining power than individual workers, which can result in better contracts and improved workplace policies.

Job security: Unions often negotiate for job security provisions in contracts, such as protection against layoffs, seniority-based promotion and rehiring practices, and job training and upskilling programs.

Better wages and benefits: Union members tend to earn higher wages and better benefits than non-union workers. This is because unions negotiate for better compensation packages and advocate for policies that benefit workers.

Safer working conditions: Unions prioritize workplace safety and advocate for regulations and policies that ensure safe working conditions. Union workers are also more likely to report workplace hazards and injuries, which can lead to improved workplace safety overall.

Legal representation: Unions provide legal representation to workers who are unfairly treated by their employers. This can include support in disciplinary proceedings, grievances, and even legal action if necessary.

Labor unions seem like a good thing mostly:

Labor unions might be ok but they attract crime:

Labor unions are simply communism:

Other:

[KrakenAttackin]

I have been a member of two unions and I have experienced the pros and cons. The bottom line is that most unions end up existing to support the most senior members while sacrificing the junior members under the guise of seniority. Now, I do understand the importance of seniority and it's great when you have it, and sucks when you don't.

The flip side is having basic workplace protections is a good things as long as the union is honest and consistent in their desire to protect workers. The relationship between management and labor can't be understated. If there is tension, the workers will suffer (as will the customers), and it makes for a shitty day coming to work.

[msc545]

Great answer - thanks!

[KrakenAttackin]

You bet. I recognize the need for unions in certain instances, but it can be a tough medicine. The unions need to be held accountable in helping ALL of their members.

[msc545]

Indeed they do!!!

[genericname85]

labor unions are most certainly not "communism". you can see it like a class action lawsuit. pooling people and therefore pooling power to fight for your interest. tho tbh, the leadership of these unions is probably corrupt too and probably makes money from the union members AND the companies in order to always act as if they're actually bargaining.

and the problem also is, that employers today will just fire you, if you join a union. why employ a worker who know what they're worth, when you can find people who do the same job for cheaper?

[msc545]

It is illegal to fire people for joining a Union in the US.

[genericname85]

yeah it's illegal where i live too. of course they won't say that they fired you because of the union. they'll find a reason.

[msc545]

You are sadly and absolutely right...

[genericname85]

i mean in most places you can't even get a permanent contract anymore. they hire for 2 years at most and if you join a union, you can bet your bottom dollar that they're not gonna extend your contract.

[msc545]

Yes. I have been a contractor for a long time now.

[genericname85]

well at least unions are still an option. if you choose an academic career, there's barely any unions. cause jobs are so highly specialized, that you won't really find a union of people who do the same or even just a similar job xD

[lightbulb27]

you listed them.

One of my first decisions in life I made myself... I don't like unions!:) Why, they protect low quality lazy people that need discipline and training.

My grandfather was in union, was some good to protect him (at that time in history when people were worked to death). my wife is in a union, I have a few references to think about it. There especially values in terms of providing for quality of life and safety... think coal mining jobs, when capitalists will cut corners at the risk of life and govt doesn't have protections in place. Women whom need time to raise their kids.. they can provide those benefits.

$... it can help there, but screw as well. I have always though customer service is WAY under paid for the value they bring to most companies. It's a tough fight since there's a large supply of people that can replace those workers, but they are essential. CS should get $10k raises, I wish I had fought harder for these people... regrets.

But the down side is they protect lazy, poor functioning people. In manufacturing, it's a mess... lets all salute the fallen flag of GM and Delphi right now. Please salute Honda... no union, they build great stuff, in the US of A! Ditto Toyota.

They should be managed with a tight hand within the union so they don't go too far.

I made the decision to never go into one because of my negative impression of unions.

That said, corporations are also selfish A___holes run by selfish, often narcissistic A___holes. What we need is a large volume of qualified, well trained humans to be in charge.

Good luck with that... the only solution to that... is sports... one of the few places kids get disciplined.

[exitseven]

Hondas and othe doreign cars are not really made in America. They come over on a ship all covered in seagull poop and they put the hubcaps on here and they say assembled in the US of A.

[lightbulb27]

@exitseven nincorrect per my Honda contacts. Hondas have some of the most domestic content of anything produced in USA. Lots of the parts are made in USA... over 800 suppliers.

[lightbulb27]

Honda accord very much made in OH-IO. Go buckeyes!

www.consumerreports.org/.../index.htm
I'm surprised by these stats... and I question if it's correct:)

[exitseven]

The engines and transmissions are all made over seas. They are just put together here from foreign made parts.

[SnowedIn]

Way too long of a topic to do it justice here. Great question by the way. There are cons too; it's not all puppy dogs and flowers and unicorns.

But, the one big advantage is the power of bargaining as a large unit, one big group. In the same way that stores that buy a lot of product get a better unit price or that small businesses that group together in an association can more effectively lobby the government.

[exitseven]

I belong to a union. I imagine that the raises they negotiated were better than I could have done on my own I know many union tradesmen. They make really good money and usually collect unemployment a lot of the year.

[boggboss]

I managed to get a couple grand back paid to me as the local council was fucking up payments and I only got it because of the union

[Guy13]

There are no advantages as they still the workers money and force companies out of this country. That's what Marxists used them for... to crush a country's economy.

[lottiebannotie]

We need unions to protect us