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[The Dad Fisherman]

From Lawyers.com about Unions.....Strictly Informational

Your New Job and Joining a Union - Lawyers.com

When starting a new job there are several decisions you could be faced with. One of these involves whether or not to join a union. Groups of employees have the right to form unions in order to bargain collectively with employers and to protect their rights. Unions thrive in every level of society and encompass many different types of jobs, including manufacturing, teaching, and film production. When faced with the decision to join a union, make sure you know your rights.

It is illegal to coerce you to join a union. This can be a thin line. It is true that a union cannot force you to join. However, you might find that it is clearly in your best interest to join. Actors cannot get roles in major motion pictures unless they are part of the Screen Actor's Guild or they can somehow convince the production company to pay a fine for using a non-union actor. While no one can force you to join a union there may be practical considerations that make it very difficult to not join if you want to work in a particular industry.

You are always covered by a union's collective bargaining. Whether or not you choose to become a union member, the collective bargaining will benefit you. You will receive all the same benefits as a union member except for any that are designated as solely member benefits. However, if the union gets better pay and better benefits, it is for all employees union or not.

Even though you may not be forced to join a union it is possible you may be forced to pay dues. Some states have passed Right to Work laws which prevent educators and others from being forced to pay union dues when they are not union members. In states that have not passed one of these laws educators and others may not be forced to join the union, but they will be forced to pay the union fees.

A union cannot charge excessive dues. The dues charged by a union can't be too high.

The union can't force an employer to punish a worker for not being a union member. Once again this can be a tricky point. You cannot be penalized by an employer who has already hired you, but, depending on your industry, you might find it difficult to find work.

It is illegal for a union to use threats, intimidation or violence.

A union must bargain with an employer in good faith. A union is not allowed to make demands so unreasonable that they know there is no way the employer could ever capitulate. There must be actual effort to work something out that both sides can agree to.

Remember, it is your choice whether or not you join a union. Get the facts beforehand about what benefits membership will give you and whether or not you will be required to pay dues regardless of whether you join.