Less than 10 days into my new employment, I've joined the union at work. We have about 214,000 active members. I've never had the opportunity to join a union in any of my previous employment (more than 20 years). I consider the small deduction from my paycheck to be a valuable investment.
To be honest, I'm hopeful that I won't need direct union assistance or representation - ever. But the bargaining power of my union has helped ensure that my employer has never laid off employees working in my job description.
Currently, however, the employer is encouraging workers who are eligible to retire, to retire (a formula involving years of service and age of the worker). The union supports this, as a way to help avoid layoffs. That's probably prudent, since the bottom line right now is not in the black.
It's a delicate balance, between workers and management. Knowing what I do about human nature and the imperatives of for-profit business, I hope to worry a little bit less about the role of personality differences in the workplace. I plan to do my job, do it well, and treat others fairly; I only ask for similar treatment in return. I hope the union helps ensure some reciprocity.
If you have thoughts about what's good, or not good, about union representation, I'd love to hear about it.