Tip #46: Reasons Not To Join a Union

April 21, 2009 3180 Comments2009-04-21+08%3A45%3A36Ben+Nash

reasons to not join a union This tip is part of a two part series on unions – this is the second, final part and it deals with the question, “Why I should not join a union?”

Unions are bodies of employees who band together to collectively agree to certain working conditions with an employer. For instance, auto workers in Detroit are members of unions and they collectively agree to certain working conditions with major car companies such a General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. But what are the disadvantages to joining a union? Being part of a union is not always a positive thing. Here are some tips on the disadvantages of joining a union:

I have to pay how much? – Though unions do provide a feeling of belonging and a sense of cohesion among workers, but it doesn’t always come cheap. Unions, much like the companies they negotiate with, are complex organizations with management systems all of their own. To maintain this system, union members must pay dues to the union. At times these dues may become more burdensome than company policies the union was designed to combat.

Unions can be political animals that serve the needs of a powerful leadership. As already noted unions are complex organizations and are typically run by powerful and influential executive types. A common perception of unions is that they serve the needs of the elite first and don’t do enough to take care of the common worker they were designed to protect.

In some cases, unions are obsolete. Companies that take care of those who work for them are less likely to see their workforce band together to demand better working conditions.