I went through a unionization campaign in the 70s from the UAW, and years later was working for a company and not part of the bargaining unit during a bargaining unit strike that went on for 6 weeks.
The unionization campaign was interesting, actually. The company had plants both with and without UAW representation, so there was considerable amounts of information to compare from the various facilities. The strike, on the other hand, was annoying, and IMO, a pyrrhic victory for the union. Their choice was a raise/modest bump in benefits for the current workers, or a larger raise with cutting the bargaining unit. They chose the latter, and in 3 years, took the same option again in lieu of a strike that occasion.
Unappreciated both times was that the company was going to cut the higher paying jobs (tester, inspectors and such) and then with the seniority rules, move everyone down however many notches, and discharge the most recent and lowest ranking union members. I noted a electrical generator test stand operator emptying trash cans in the cafeteria a few months later and was really shocked . . .
And I realize this is just my experience with a couple workplaces and a few experiences with the UAW. YMMV.
I'm in the process, BTW, of cashing out my pension with that company, and I'm pretty pleased with the terms and conditions and the amount I'm getting from my time there, sans representation. I also note, they've been bought out a few times since my experience there and are now backed by a VASTLY larger parent company. I was really impressed with all the options I have on taking early retirement checks and/or payout. LOL, one thing I can't roll it over into is more farm land. And that's the ruling from the guvmint. Bastids.
The unionization campaign was interesting, actually. The company had plants both with and without UAW representation, so there was considerable amounts of information to compare from the various facilities. The strike, on the other hand, was annoying, and IMO, a pyrrhic victory for the union. Their choice was a raise/modest bump in benefits for the current workers, or a larger raise with cutting the bargaining unit. They chose the latter, and in 3 years, took the same option again in lieu of a strike that occasion.
Unappreciated both times was that the company was going to cut the higher paying jobs (tester, inspectors and such) and then with the seniority rules, move everyone down however many notches, and discharge the most recent and lowest ranking union members. I noted a electrical generator test stand operator emptying trash cans in the cafeteria a few months later and was really shocked . . .
And I realize this is just my experience with a couple workplaces and a few experiences with the UAW. YMMV.
I'm in the process, BTW, of cashing out my pension with that company, and I'm pretty pleased with the terms and conditions and the amount I'm getting from my time there, sans representation. I also note, they've been bought out a few times since my experience there and are now backed by a VASTLY larger parent company. I was really impressed with all the options I have on taking early retirement checks and/or payout. LOL, one thing I can't roll it over into is more farm land. And that's the ruling from the guvmint. Bastids.
The granting of a pardon is an imputation of guilt, and the acceptance a confession of it.
