General Discussion

Puzzledtraveller

(5,937 posts)

100. We have one, but it has no bargaining power

Thu Jan 31, 2013, 10:25 AM

Jan 2013

and we aren't required to join or pay dues and I'm public sector. So it is rendered impotent by all standards. I do not live in a right to work state.

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why are you not in a labor union...? [View all] mike_c Jan 2013 OP

No unions in my field bigwillq Jan 2013 #1

self-employed. Do not need a union to intervene with myself. CBGLuthier Jan 2013 #2

I'm an experienced white-collar IT professional with a highly marketable skill set slackmaster Jan 2013 #3

so unions are only for blue-collar non-pros w/o marketable 'skill sets' who aren't 'up to the c HiPointDem Jan 2013 #6

Not really. I'm just tooting my own horn. slackmaster Jan 2013 #7

+1 Left2Tackle Jan 2013 #99

The poster didn't write what you claimed. bluestate10 Jan 2013 #57

no, but it's implied in what he did write. as it is in what *you* wrote. HiPointDem Jan 2013 #76

Decisions have consequences. I have chosen to fore-go choices early in my life, I am in bluestate10 Jan 2013 #91

all of which is beside the point under discussion HiPointDem Jan 2013 #95

"I’m a Professional. What Can a Union Do for Me?" Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #8

I am number 3 in seniority in a company that presently employs 12 people plus 1 contractor slackmaster Jan 2013 #11

Good, you've been lucky. Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #12

I don't feel that luck has much to do with it. I got a good education and have worked hard... slackmaster Jan 2013 #16

Many people get good educations and work hard. Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #18

Plans? slackmaster Jan 2013 #27

And that worked out for you. Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #31

Must we disagree on something? slackmaster Jan 2013 #33

No, lol. Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #35

Luck has a lot to do with it. Most branches of IT are prime layoff bait. The subset that clicked stevenleser Jan 2013 #19

I've gone from being a curriculum writer to a technical/business writer, phased into systems analyst slackmaster Jan 2013 #26

I've done most of those you listed myself. So why the contradictions in your posts? stevenleser Jan 2013 #29

Being laid off doesn't bother me. Sometimes it's even been a blessing. slackmaster Jan 2013 #32

Only that we now know you have decided to accept the unacceptable as a good thing. stevenleser Jan 2013 #36

Getting laid off from a job you aren't happy with can put you in a good position. slackmaster Jan 2013 #39

The company doesnt care if you are good at your job or not in many cases. stevenleser Jan 2013 #43

Your subject line describes one hallmark of a shitty job slackmaster Jan 2013 #44

I'm speaking specifically of when it comes to layoff time. stevenleser Jan 2013 #47

A company that lets perfectly good people go just to save money might just be stupid slackmaster Jan 2013 #67

I've seen this happen. Left2Tackle Jan 2013 #104

I can think of only one occasion where I truly ended up worse off after a layoff, or voluntarily... slackmaster Jan 2013 #106

I've been fortunate not to have gone through any layoffs Left2Tackle Feb 2013 #123

See my #14, IT folks need Unions desperately. nt stevenleser Jan 2013 #17

I agree, totally. Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #23

He has worked his ass off. Yes, he had some luck along the way, all of us do. bluestate10 Jan 2013 #61

Everyone I've ever known here in Silicon Valley has worked their ass off. Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #62

funny how that works, isn't it? nt antigop Jan 2013 #70

Do you think in our business culture here WinniSkipper Jan 2013 #111

I think they could if employees wanted them. Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #118

Thats pretty inline with my thinking WinniSkipper Jan 2013 #120

My other career is also IT, and I have reached out to the SEIU in the past suggesting they stevenleser Jan 2013 #14

Pardon me for laughing with you at the concept of "job security." I've been laid off four times. slackmaster Jan 2013 #21

So which is it? You either are fine and have no worries, or you aren't. Which are you arguing? nt stevenleser Jan 2013 #24

I've never felt that I have any real job security beyond a 6 - 12 month horizon, and that doesn't... slackmaster Jan 2013 #30

arguably, I'm in a similar situation... mike_c Jan 2013 #15

This is exactly what most of the other people said when we were trying Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #34

Yep, I'm one of those and I learned that lesson the hard way and will never forget it. stevenleser Jan 2013 #40

Nobody has ever approached me about unionization, and I've been working since 1981. slackmaster Jan 2013 #41

My apologies. You've certainly seen what happened to our profession. The Clintons wiped out Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #64

Now retired - sort of anyway. dipsydoodle Jan 2013 #4

A little off topic, but I like your signature line. KansDem Jan 2013 #105

Its Tom Waits you need to thank for that. dipsydoodle Jan 2013 #114

Ah, yes! The Everyman's Poet and Philosopher KansDem Jan 2013 #115

Who said I wasn't? lpbk2713 Jan 2013 #5

that's one of the choices... mike_c Jan 2013 #9

The existing unions (e.g., teachers, AFSCME, etc.) need to be helping everyone else unionize! reformist2 Jan 2013 #10

My job (sysadmin) is usually the only one of those in a given business Recursion Jan 2013 #13

Need to add 'Retired' as one of the choices! LongTomH Jan 2013 #20

unfortunately, I'm out of choices on this poll.... mike_c Jan 2013 #25

Proud member of the NEA, VEA, and FEA. 11 Bravo Jan 2013 #22

Retired Union Ironworker Go Vols Jan 2013 #28

I'm retired Blue_In_AK Jan 2013 #37

AFT in Kansas City in the 70's. MissMarple Jan 2013 #38

Other: I live in a right-to-work-for-less state, and former co-workers didn't value unions. GoCubsGo Jan 2013 #42

Self-employed. I wish there was a union. Zoeisright Jan 2013 #45

I don't really see a need for me to be in a union. cbdo2007 Jan 2013 #46

JOINED, BLEW IT, GOT OUT Bennyboy Jan 2013 #48

I wish I had a job to... 99Forever Jan 2013 #49

I'm in that category too 2naSalit Jan 2013 #75

Yep... 99Forever Jan 2013 #89

i'm now retired, but was in a labor union when i was working shanti Jan 2013 #50

Full time student. nt Deep13 Jan 2013 #51

Option missing: My workplace is unionized, but I work for the salary/management staff. OneTenthofOnePercent Jan 2013 #52

I am not eligible for union membership yellerpup Jan 2013 #53

I'll be joining IATSE this Monday. amerikat Jan 2013 #54

my marketing jobs....are not union mshasta Jan 2013 #55

They have been trying to organize my field for years abelenkpe Jan 2013 #56

I've done far better on my own. badtoworse Jan 2013 #58

I'm retired after 32 years in the Flashmann Jan 2013 #59

Union member for 32 years mokawanis Jan 2013 #60

I'm management (self-employed), plus a medical professional not subject to kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #63

There are two reason to join a union: The Philosopher Jan 2013 #65

I am ismnotwasm Jan 2013 #66

My industry is not organized; landscape construction Earth_First Jan 2013 #68

Texas had the first "closed shop" town in the entire country derby378 Jan 2013 #69

This message was self-deleted by its author Heddi Jan 2013 #71

you've just described how I came to be an officer and activist in my union.... mike_c Jan 2013 #73

Ok that's messed up ismnotwasm Jan 2013 #79

I deleted my previous post Heddi Jan 2013 #90

My employer has plenty of unions and unionized employees WilmywoodNCparalegal Jan 2013 #72

I'm in Florida. Boo Rick Scott shenmue Jan 2013 #74

Retired NALC. hay rick Jan 2013 #77

that's why I'm so surprised that people are not beating down the doors... mike_c Jan 2013 #83

My husband was a union steward before he retired. appleannie1 Jan 2013 #78

Unemployed LiberalEsto Jan 2013 #80

There are no unions organizing my industry or profession but I support those that do! Lesmoderesstupides Jan 2013 #81

Military... So not a good idea Coyote_Tan Jan 2013 #82

Retired from GM/UAW local 160 michreject Jan 2013 #84

Nice DainBramaged Jan 2013 #85

good luck with your retirement, my friend.... mike_c Jan 2013 #86

Because the aardvark's won't let me..... whistler162 Jan 2013 #87

kick for the evening crowd.... mike_c Jan 2013 #88

Retired last year, never been in a union Fumesucker Jan 2013 #92

no union nesessay in my line of work. crazyjoe Jan 2013 #93

I don't think it would enhance my situation. Throd Jan 2013 #94

I'm a contract worker in a federal healthcare facility in TX rainbow4321 Jan 2013 #96

Proud thug with AFT proud2BlibKansan Jan 2013 #97

Self employed now, but when I was not... Demo_Chris Jan 2013 #98

We have one, but it has no bargaining power Puzzledtraveller Jan 2013 #100

Unemployed at the moment. HappyMe Jan 2013 #101

I work for an international non-governmental organization - LibertyLover Jan 2013 #102

I manage a public library Not Me Jan 2013 #103

I'm considered "management" (but not really) X_Digger Jan 2013 #107

no unions in my field tabbycat31 Jan 2013 #108

Currently unemployed MAD Dave Jan 2013 #109

good luck! mike_c Jan 2013 #110

My boss is a tough negotiator loose wheel Jan 2013 #112

Proud 'thug' here...... blockhead Jan 2013 #113

There is a labor union in my workplace - but they won't let my position qualify for membership. ellisonz Jan 2013 #116

Nursing Unions have just started organizing in Texas w8liftinglady Jan 2013 #117

good luck to you! mike_c Feb 2013 #121

No unions in my company for my role rjj621 Jan 2013 #119

I can tell you that my union membership experiences have been 100% positive.... mike_c Feb 2013 #122