Crazy that someone can say “my boss would rather give me a 50 cent raise than see me join a union” and not realize that that means that being in a union is worth more than a 50 cent raise

Well Cathy can’t read, so.

I’ve only been in three massive unions so far.

In the first two, one a Muni and one a Regional (like an American State union):

1. We faced a serious crisis where the company was really making life difficult for incoming members; almost two castes.
2. We raised the issue with the union
3. Union did nothing.
4. We sign over all our dues to the SPCA until the union leadership turns over

That’s 2 of 3. They didn’t care about people, they didn’t care about their people, and we can’t prove the union bosses’ goals extend to more than their own pay cheque.

I’m at the third one now because the industry is shit. I don’t expect much beyond layoff protection. But the general consensus is that they’re not the same unions that got any rights for people.

Sorry. I hope your union is somehow better. Mine were/are I.T unions and, while they’re a huge step up from the hell of I.T at a non-union at-will job, they’re all examples of how not all unions are the same.

That Sal account is garbage.

It seems like there’s more to it since you generally also have to pay the union dues, is that factored into the math here?

Unions are tricky. Police union that keeps cops from being punished? Idk maybe not great. Union that pays dock workers that don’t actually work to keep automation from ruining the job landscape? I’m not sure. Teachers negotiating for fair pay? Seems great!!

Like all things in society, we need nuance, not “unions good” or “unions bad”