Comments on: Getting Organized

By: Colin Barrett

Colin Barrett — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:42:22 +0000

Augie: Nicholas nails it.

You also mentioned that unions take a piece off the top. Here's a real life example: American Federation of Musicians Local 677 (both of my parents are members): $200 yearly and the work dues (i.e those taken from every job) are 4.5%.

Workers who are in unions make more than their non-union counterparts. This isn't just common sense, it's a phenomenon studied by economists called the "union wage premium". According to Wikipedia, a generally accepted figure is around 15%.

Assuming that the work dues weren't taken into affect when that calculation was made (not necessarily a valid assumption, but useful for illustrative purposes), joining a union is a net 10.5% raise.

Yes, I understand it can be scary to join an organization that takes fees off the top, but there are real, measurable benefits to union membership that need to be considered.

By: Nicholas

Nicholas — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:29:54 +0000

Augie: Unions often find that they are completely sidelined by not having an exclusive agreement with a corporation. If employees don’t have to be members of the union then it is easy for unaffiliated individuals to leach off of the union’s collective bargaining power without providing any support. At the same time the union looses any power it would have in a weak job market because if the union were to strike the company could simply hire non union employees for less money. There are ways to deal with these issues, but if you look at most places where they have simple right to work laws you won’t find unions (think the deep south).

By: Augie

Augie — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:52:03 +0000

It's all well and good, but the problem comes in when collective bargaining organizations force out individuals by making exclusive agreements - it's not uncommon out here for musicians to not really want to be a part of the musicians' union, but to have to in order to get work at any major orchestra or theater. For many, the union takes a piece off the top for little (or no) perceived benefit. Without right-to-work systems (where a union can't force me to join) dysfunctional unions never reform, and simply continue on through the inertia of past agreements.

(NB: not saying unions are categorically bad, but am suggesting a union being able to say "join up or find a new employer" is bad in a similar way to all employment being at-will.)

By: Colin Barrett

Colin Barrett — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:40:54 +0000

Dan Weeks: Thanks a lot. I've fixed the typo.

Robert Accettura: Wisdom. If we switch to single payer or some other sort of full (hell, even some) coverage system, you will see small businesses flourish. The Obama folks are real smart, I would be quite surprised if they didn't bring that up when the time comes.

By: Robert Accettura

Robert Accettura — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:37:21 +0000

Very good points.

One of the big reasons that people stick with agencies or working directly for corporations is simply the benefits rock. Smaller businesses increasingly just can't afford good or any benefits these days. The downside is that your always just minutes away from being laid off (heck I've seen people laid off weeks into their new job... and that means virtually no severance since your a "probationary employee").

This really is in part an extension of the health care discussion going on in the nation. Should there be universal health care (or simply affordable) employees may no longer feel so bound to a particular employer. This is one of the primary fears of large employers and one of the biggest hopes for many employees and small businesses who want to compete with the big guys for employees. Reality is in most industries during most economic conditions there are quite a few jobs out there. The ones with good benefits are what people really fight for.

By: Dan Weeks

Dan Weeks — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:16:59 +0000

Nicely stated. I learned after surviving the first lay-offs of my life (75% of the company got cut and I was saved by being deemed "core" to the company continuing). It's all business, both for you and your employer. That's why you can't let anyone make you feel bad if you decide to leave, it's not personal, it's you looking out for you.

I'm envious of your jump to indie and I'll be watching to see how you do. It's inspirational.

Also, it's a boy scout troop, not a troupe. The latter is actors, musicians and the like. Troop for boy & girl scouts is based on military organization.