What are the pros and cons of being in a union?

Pros:

• Compensation. Unionized employees earn more than their non-union counterparts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that unionized workers earn more than their non-union counterparts. An organized workforce can negotiate better pay.

  Employers must also raise the pay of non-union workers to compete for skilled employees.

• Contract negotiation. In addition to an hourly wage, a union-negotiated contract can provide workers with better health benefits, additional paid time off, and other benefits, including paid legal representation.

  Union representation will know similar contract negotiations and results within the industry and the workplace.

• Filing grievances and complaints. Employees sometimes feel intimidated or afraid to raise concerns regarding their job or workplace. They may fear backlash from management or that the issue will not be addressed.

  Union representation can accompany employees when they meet with management and present their issues. A union rep will know what is ethical and represent themselves as a third-party advocate.

Cons:

• Limited opportunity for promotion. While relationships between unions and management are amicable and productive, a union can also divide a workplace.

  When a union member seeks a promotion to the ranks of management, there may exist a bias based on the worker's role in union business or the tenuous relationship shared by the two groups.

• Costly dues. A union operates on a percentage of employee salary. The typical union dues or annual payments that allow the union to continue to represent the workers are between 1.5 and 4%.

  A union member earning a yearly wage of $50,000 with a 2% dues rate would pay $1,000 yearly for representation. Dues fluctuate based on the rate and the employee's gross earnings.

• Inflated project costs. Unions are often cited as responsible for increased prices related to goods and services. The idea is that if it costs an employer more to make, they will, in turn, pass those costs on to the consumer.

  Larger construction projects that are required to employ union contractors can dramatically increase the total cost.