If you aren't in a union, trying to join a union or organizing where you work you shouldn't complain about low pay or poor conditions. amirite?

Unions are a tool that can help workers improve their working conditions. They are not the end all and be all of workers rights.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Government can promises but if you want to take personal responsibility for the welfare of yourself and family joining a union is the best thing you can do.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

I am in a union and I have low pay and poor conditions. Unions are genies that just make your job a super fun and great place to work

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Well you took the first step in helping yourself, and in my unpopular opinion should feel free to complain at full volume as often as you like.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

I mean, I didn't unionize. The union was already here when I got hired

by Anonymous 2 years ago

I worked for a unionized company, pay was meh. I make way more now outside of a union.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

My job doesn't have unions so I get raises by switching companies or industries. Easy peasy.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Not a terrible way to do it, unless you're planning a family and need stability.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

I have those, thanks. Tell me again why I need a union?

by Anonymous 2 years ago

What about co-ops?

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Unions are supposed to be for all workers not just members.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Could you expand please? I'm not sure I understand.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Unions exist to help protect workers from all places not just the members of a union. As a person who has been in several different teamsters unions I'm confident the heads of all the major unions will tell you the same.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

*Tries to organise workers* *Factory closes* 👍

by Anonymous 2 years ago

I loved working in the plants years ago when unions would go on strike and we would be contracted out to go do their jobs for double their pay until their strike was done and they all got their 10 cent raise

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Exactly, the plant could have afforded to pay double if they'd been forced to. The union should have demanded that instead of 10 cents.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

The plant was paying double because temps don't get benefits.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Very unpopular opinion. In my state the unions have taken over the government, causing insanely high taxes and insurmountable pension debt. No way a teacher should retire after 20yrs making 100% of their salary for life! All unions must be destroyed!!!

by Anonymous 2 years ago

What state are you in because I'm a teacher and that sounds like a hell of a deal!

by Anonymous 2 years ago

>No way a teacher should retire after 20yrs making 100% of their salary for life! That's not a thing.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Public service unions are an absolute menace. NY State teachers get an amazing retirement deal too, and the quality of the school system here is mediocre. Our cops make ridiculous pay relative to their education and the skills required to do the jobs, plus 20 yr retirement at 75% of high 3. So they retire in their early 40s and make $125-150k/yr until they die. This is why we have (maybe) the highest taxes in the country and one of the lowest standards of living.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Bonus, at universities, they'll retire, get their pension, and then come back to work at a slightly different position.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

How do freelancers get a union? Asking for a freelancer

by Anonymous 2 years ago

"Joining a union is the first step to a decent standard of living." Of you could just get a good education and acquire job skills that are in high demand.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

What of I live in a "right to work" state that basically did away with unions

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Do you know how hard it is to unionize a workplace?

by Anonymous 2 years ago

Agreed I was just thinking in my car yesterday on lunch how unions probably cost a lot less than what we lose annually from not being able to negotiate wages whatsoever. Sure we get the odd cost of living increase but it's nothing much compared to the dollar or two we could be actually grabbing for.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

At my old job, I discussed a union one time, 2 days later I was fired. The beauty of capitalism though is that I am now at a job where I don't even need a union, I make more than I did, and I can speak with the owner personally if I want.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

I've been in a union for 25 years, a steward for 3. There are pros and cons. The slackers still get paid the same as the guys that get it done. But I guarantee this place would have us making minimum wage if they could get away with it. I have a pension, but the fund is in the red and they are digging into our payouts to cover the gap. Personally, I am pro-union. Yeah, it's hard to defend the slackers. But it's way better than getting stabbed in the back by ballwashers.

by Anonymous 2 years ago

I say this a lot here, but I guess it's time to say it yet again: Thinking that someone shouldn't be allowed to complain unless they meet certain criteria is not an unpopular opinion, in the least.

by Anonymous 2 years ago