IMO, you are benefiting by the union members that came before you. If there no union I know things would change, and not for the better. The only teaching, union situation I can think of that happened around here: the teachers used to have to spend their evenings at home grading papers, dong other teacher things. Some time when my kids were in elementary school there was a strike and they got a free period of every day to do such things.
TheHusbandHalf started as a member of the OCAW (oil, chemical, & atomic workers) but after a few switches, he's now a Steelworker.
(same job, just unions being eliminated over the years)
He is a member because he reaps the benefit of the union and it's just in his nature to pay for benefits he receives. (We reap the benefits of living in this country, we do not complain about taxes either)
The main benefit is that they monitor safety. After the Texas City refinery explosion, I thank the union daily because down there, if there was a union, it was not as strong. I can't remember if there was one or not.
As I understand it, the flares you see at the top of the stacks are burning off the extra of something, Texas City did not do this because that's money on fire! and whatever that something is, is heavier than air. It settled to ground level and when someone started their car, KABOOM.
THH is in a building that is supposedly explosion poof, all the cars are parked out front in a parking lot, and the flares are visible.
When OSHA investigated after the Texas City explosion, they came up here to the refinery where THH works. In fact, they made sure HE was one of the guys they talked to. He has a reputation for knowing his stuff, and not letting emotions get in the way of whatever work topic he is discussing. He can matter-of-factly answer their questions, and did.
A local example that I credit the union for having certain policies in place, for safety:
Our son was in the nuclear propulsion rate in the Navy, so he knew radioactive stuff. Afterwards, for a few years, he worked at the same refinery where THH works. (I may get terms wrong here) One day they had to send something down a pipe that involved radiation. Somehow it broke and the guys gathered around to try and get it. Except my son, he knew to get far away, rather than handle it. I don’t know who was responsible, but the area, a big area, was quarantined, because of the union enforced rules.
I have many memories of things that happened because union rules were followed for safety reasons.
A few years ago, the union had its first strike in the years that this company owned the refinery, and the first THH has experienced. THH walked the picket line because he felt again, it was his obligation as a union member to do so. In the end, the younger guys voted for the contract the company was offering. But, that’s the union way, if a contract is voted for by the majority and agreed to, it’s accepted. They signed away some stuff that will affect them, but not the older guys. That is not the reason our son left, but it certainly played a part in his decision. Our son was getting the same reputation as his dad, and I guess people are still asking THH how he’s doing. THH told me toight, another guy asked about him. He aid al ot are envious, just quitting a job, and leaving. They can't, too many obligations.
The Steelworkers union paid electric bills, heating bills (February in Ohio), house payments, property taxes for the strikers. Some other things, but I don’t remember. Grocery stores donated a bunch of groceries to the local union, and other unions gave cash donations too. Like I said, there had not been a strike in at least 40 years and THH’s local does the same for other unions.
There were a few scabs. After the strike, the company made the rule that it was not to be discussed.
Employees often try to get qualified to work the control room and THH sometimes has them work with him to learn. One scab, trying to qualify, tried to start a conversation about how other employees are treating him, and WHY??? THH is very good at ignoring questions (!!!) and went on to something else, because he knew it was because scabs no longer have the respect of the others.
That scab is the son of the guy my mother is living with, and one time she brought up the topic of son and the refinery. I told her I would like to change the topic, she got a little mad that I wouldn’t say why, but that’s my mother. I act like I respect her, but I don’t, but that’s a while nother story
A union’s job is to make sure the contract is enforced. Period. I have heard of other unions and how they bully the members, bully the company, but I have heard of none of that with this one.
A union’s job is to make sure the contract is enforced. Period