My co-workers are getting tired of our union

[WillParkinson]

In the last several weeks people I work with have been griping about the union. Every month, they say, the union takes out $41.00 from their checks and to what end? The only time we hear from them, they continue, is when they're going to raise the dues. There has been some talk about voting the union (H.E.R.E Local 122) out of the hotel.

This has been an...interesting time at the hotel, let me tell you. Wonder how it will all play out.

[Deja Q]

1. Mine aren't keen on the union either.

Can't blame 'em. The union always says "We need to raise dues". "We consolidated to save money, but we still need to raise dues".

There are other reasons, but people aren't happy.

I have relatives who say "unions are a necessary evil". I wish unions weren't necessary.

[WillParkinson]

2. I believe our union is out of touch

They don't keep in contact with their base. They take us for granted, I think. Our union is a family affair, too. It's quite a few of the Gallo family.

I think the icing on the cake for a lot of people was the fact that during our union negotiations the union ordered Room Service every day, running up hundreds of dollars in food bills, and then turned around and got us a .12 raise with no real expanded benefits (in fact, some of my fellow 3rd shifters got shafted because they had to accept a lower pay rate instead of what they used to get paid).

I'm not settled on how I feel about this yet. But I tend to side with my co-workers displeasure, I think.

[sam sarrha]

3. i have worked for several Corporate Unions, they start their own to prevent a real one. not much you

can do there..

but probably everything you 'like' about your job was acquired by a real union.

you need to ask for a total breakdown of all expenditures of dues.. ours are not that high, what do your union people get paid,

[WillParkinson]

7. Servers

Get paid 4.94 an hour (at least in Room Service, I don't know about the restaurants in the hotel).

3rd shift servers used to make 6 something an hour because of the amount of work required for them to do. But anyone who doesn't have seniority now has to make the same as everyone else. I figured out the tips and the per-hour figures. 3rd shift will have a hard time keeping quality people.

[madrchsod]

5. my wifes is a service union..forgot all the initials

a her local sucks.......a union is as good as it`s local leaders and membership.

[mike_c]

4. unions are like safety nets....

When you need them, you REALLY need them. My union has been instrumental in getting us a good contract, benefits, etc.

[madrchsod]

6. as a former steelworker and iam member.....

dam it`s been really hard to work for a non union company...

[fasttense]

8. Can't you vote in more responsible people?

Why don't you run for a position on the Union? I thought most Unions were democratic affairs. Why can't your Union get in good representatives?

Sounds to me that you need to take back your union.

[WillParkinson]

10. I'm a 3rd shifter

And the meetings they have take place in the middle of my sleep. Also I'm being considered for a management position(well, assistant) and that would conflict.

Personally I'm more for the people but sadly they just seemed resigned to the paying the dues.

[Selatius]

9. The problem with some labor unions is that they're too centrally controlled with too little autonomy

You start getting a feeling of detachment because it feels like you're not really being listened to or aren't getting a chance to say anything except to write the union a check each month. Unions should ideally concentrate decision-making authority at the base of the hierarchy where everybody is, not at the top.

[TomClash]

11. Vote out the Local leadership nt

[ileus]

12. I hope your helth insurance is really low...or you're being hosed.

under 5 bucks an hour and you pay 41 bucks a month? Your insurnace and pension better be sweet.

[I work for workers]

13. Some workers aren't well served by a union.

Part time workers with high turnover usually get the short end of the stick if they have to join, and just find it costs them a lot and gets them little. I used to be a UFCW member, and that was definitely the case for me.

Aside from that, most workers are much better off unionized. If you think that this is a serious threat to your union, call your local reps and tell them that people are unsatisfied and that they need to have a more visible presence. You might also try to get malcontents to go to union or CLC meetings. Many people assume the union just takes money because they never realize all the things it is doing. Getting more involved is a great way to really understand why the union is a good thing.

[JosephSchmo]

14. I used to work in a grocery store

It was a shitty job with shitty pay and I had to pay big bucks to join the union.

I think for the older workers who were on the old contract it was a good thing, they had higher wages and a lot of guarantees. But the newer workers definetely got shafted, maybe thats why everytime I go in there I see the same older workers and new crop of young workers.