What is the Point of Unions?

I'm in a union shop and its EASILY the most stressful job I've ever had. Management nit picks, has their favorites and works us to death. I've seen plenty of people fired. The only difference is management takes the proper steps to do it so that it will stick.

The union basically negotiates contracts and deals with grievances. But if management wants you gone- your days are numbered.

 

You like or no?

 

Yeah, I'm fine with it. 1st union I've ever been in. They do what's expected of them. If you don't do your job you get fired- as you should

 

When my co workers don't feel like delivering to X location they say it's because, "I'm Union. They can't make me". Well that's what I kept hearing my first days at the job. I don't think they do that no more

 

That's not an option at my place. Lol. Do that a couple times and you'll be fired for "poor job performance" and, sure, you'll get a hearing with the union, but you won't get your job back. Only way to keep your job is to actually show up, on time, every day, and DO YOUR JOB!

Sure, we get plenty of personals every year. But 99% of us end up having them bought back the 2nd week in December (helps with Christmas shopping) because it ain't so easy to actually use them, union or not. Lol.

 

A couple things to add :

I'm a Union Steward. I was nominated and elected by my peers to represent them in bargaining, contract enforcement, and disciplinary action. I'm very proud to represent the hard working folks at my place of employment.

Now, we recently had a termination. Driver struck a light post in a Wal Mart parking lot, Wal Mart had him on film, and the driver claimed he had no idea what happened. The company kept the evidence a secret to see if the driver would come clean. He didn't and was fired for dishonesty. I even told him to fess up if he did indeed do something wrong, because the company most likely would have just disciplined him and he would have ultimately kept his job. The driver was completely wrong and he suffered the consequences. Accountability. Period. (The company didn't reveal the exact evidence to me until after the driver was fired)

Another thing that makes me laugh is certain members of this forum that complain about wages and benefits in this industry and then claim they wouldn't work in a union environment. I don't get it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm aware that there are non union companies that pay and treat their employees extremely well. I work union because it works for ME, but I respect another person's choice to remain union free.

 

Exactly

 

Also, a big complaint is about the amount of "Unpaid work" they have to do. A lot of us union drivers are paid by the hour. Pre trip=paid, Post trip=paid, Long lines at the fuel pumps=paid, The trailer I just hooked to has a flat and road service cant be here for 2 hours=paid. The rule I drive by here is "My stuff should always be secured correctly and I should never get a speeding ticket because they are paying me by the hour so there is no need to rush"

 

Yep, wish I could thank this post more than once. I'm literally paid for every MINUTE I work. Complicated pay system here, but NOTHING is free...

 

My experience is the exact opposite. This place is laid back. Oh sure, there are times of complete chaos, but for the most part I get one or two phone calls a day from the office. The only time I need to call is if I have finished my tasks for the day or I have a problem.