One of the things that stuck with me is how unions used to play such a big role in helping workers get fair pay and benefits. For example, in The Cost of a Decline in Unions article, it mentioned that union membership fell drastically for construction workers, and that pay dropped too. I was surprised to learn how much union membership has fallen over time, especially since unions used to be such a big part of the construction industry and helped narrow the pay gap. On the other hand, the Right to Work article talked about how some companies and politicians have been working hard for decades to pass laws that make it harder for unions to collect dues. They say it’s about giving people a choice, but it actually makes unions weaker and can lead to lower pay and worse working conditions.
When I talked to some of the laborers who work for us, they told me they’re not in a union and they actually prefer it that way. They said they like having work year round instead of being sent back to the “hall” during slow times in the winter. Our company tries to keep everyone working even if there isn’t a lot of work to go around, and I think that makes a big difference. It made me realize that while unions can be helpful for some workers, sometimes a steady job with a company that looks out for its employees can be even better. I’m going into construction management, so I won’t be joining a union, but I’d still want to support good working conditions and fair pay. If I ever saw people being treated unfairly or not getting what they deserved, I would definitely want to support efforts to improve things, even if it meant backing a union.
When I did an internet search on the pros and cons of unions, I saw that unions can really help employees with higher pay, job security, and benefits. They can also give workers a stronger voice on the job. But the downside was that unions can make it harder for employers to be flexible with work assignments and can sometimes protect workers who are underperforming. Some articles said unions can also slow down innovation and make it harder to reward the best employees. I think it depends a lot on the specific situation. For me, I’d probably choose to work in a place where management treats people fairly and looks out for them so that joining a union wouldn’t feel necessary. But if things changed or people were being mistreated, I’d definitely support organizing to make sure everyone gets a fair deal.
