Option 1: Labor Unions
Labor unions can either be really helpful or frustrating, depending on who you ask. On one hand, they protect workers by fighting for fair wages, benefits, and job security. On the other hand, they can cause conflicts, slow down work, and sometimes fight over things that don’t seem like a big deal.
I think unions give workers more power to negotiate with employers, which can lead to better pay and working conditions, which I am all for. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 10.8% of U.S. workers were union members in 2021, but in public sector jobs, that number jumps to 34.8%. Historically, unions have won important rights, like collective bargaining, which was guaranteed by the National Labor Relations Act in 1935. Therefore if you were part of a labor union you may lean on the side of them being a very positive thing for your work and life. But at the same time, employers don’t always like unions because they make things more expensive and limit how managers can run things.
My dad is in the painters’ union in Portland, and my grandpa was actually a union leader. From what they’ve told me over the years, unions are necessary to protect workers, but they can also be a pain to deal with. My dad has mentioned how annoying it gets when people complain about small issues and want to go on strike over things like a tiny wage increase. When that happens, everyone has to stop working, even if they don’t have a problem, which makes it everyone’s problem.
To answer the question if I would join a union, I think it would depend on the situation. If I felt like my job was unfair or unstable, then yes, I’d want that protection. But if my employer treated workers well and paid fairly, I don’t know if I’d want to deal with the drama that can come with union disputes. I think this also depends on if I am a lower level employee or higher level employee. If I am a lower level employee, I think I would be more inclined to want to be a part of a union because I wouldn’t have to deal with the potential issues. However, If I was a higher ranking employee, I might have to deal with more union business and that might deter me from joining. Overall, I see the value of unions, but I also get why some people feel like they cause more problems than they solve.