Recently there was a strike by the hospital near me. It was hundreds of doctors and nurses, not working, but rather, on the street, demanding fair pay, and better hours, because they are human too. And from an outside perspective, you tend to worry bout the lifesaving care that people aren’t receiving right now. You tend to wonder how effective this could be. And you tend to wonder why this happens.

More recently, one of the major colleges began a teachers strike, around march of this last year. This was organized by unions, and began because of many layoffs. As far as I know, that strike is still continuing.

What I learned from lecture materials is that Unions demand fair, and equal treatment. It is an effort to get into one, and an effort to get out. Membership, however poses and incredible number of benefits. Primarily in terms of these strikes. ” When workers strike to protest an employer’s violation of labor law, they have stronger protection. These strikers cannot be discharged or permanently replaced, and they are entitled to their jobs back when the strike ends, even if the employer has to let replacement workers go.”(LegalClarity 2016)

Being part of a union protects your interests, and your rights, while you are at your job. And in some cases, entitles you to keep your job, even after striking, and being without it for months. There are also pay allotments already in place specifically for these strikes.

And strikes are just a small part of being part of a union. There is better pay, better benefits, but there is a membership due, and seniority rules, and some organizations require all this. What really sticks out to me is that unions can be a great equalizer, if they are needed. I believe they are necessary, just not all the time, and not for everyone. But if there is a need for them, they are here, and waiting to even the playing field.

“Is it Good to be in a Union? Pros, Cons, Trade-offs.” Legal Clarity, 2026, legalclarity.org/is-it-good-to-be-in-a-union-pros-cons-trade-offs/. Accessed 7 June 2026.