new hire union - how do I join union - Brown Cafe

christian c · 04-06-2009, 02:52 AM

Hey guys I'm a new hire and I was wondering where I can find some information on joining/ not joining a union. thanks

Hoaxster · 04-06-2009, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian c

Hey guys I'm a new hire and I was wondering where I can find some information on joining/ not joining a union. thanks

Welcome cc,

I believe you will get more views in teh UPS Labor forum so I am moving your thread to that forum.

Happy posting.

chopstic · 04-07-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian c

Hey guys I'm a new hire and I was wondering where I can find some information on joining/ not joining a union. thanks

Hi christian... did you get hired in the U.S. in a UPS package handling position? If so, you probably already signed the paperwork to join the union. Unfortunately its not a choice for most of us, but there are a few states that allow you the right to choose whether to join the union or not join. I suggest you speak with your HR representative about it.

gandydancer · 04-07-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian c

Hey guys I'm a new hire and I was wondering where I can find some information on joining/ not joining a union. thanks

Unless you're in a Right to Work state joining the Union, or at least paying them to represent you, is a condition of your employment, and you will see a nice chunk of your pay check taken away for, first, Intitiation Fees and then monthly dues. But you will find you need the Union to protect you from management abuse, so it's a necessary expense.

What's your question, exactly?

UPSNewbie · 04-07-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian c

Hey guys I'm a new hire and I was wondering where I can find some information on joining/ not joining a union. thanks

If monday was your first day, and you're in training, the last day of it, they should bring in a steward to talk about it. They did for me, anyways.

christian c · 04-08-2009, 05:32 AM

I am in Texas so it's an option for me, and I have already talked to a steward. She wasn't very helpful with information and I was really looking for some unbiased pros/cons.

raceanoncr · 04-08-2009, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian c

I am in Texas so it's an option for me, and I have already talked to a steward. She wasn't very helpful with information and I was really looking for some unbiased pros/cons.

I'll throw a few of my cents worth. How long do you want to work here? You want to become F/T? You want to be P/T supervisor? You want to become F/T supervisor/manager? I think a little bit of self-examination is needed. Why? Well, I'll get dissed on this but here goes:

You only plan to be here for a short time, as in finishing your schooling then going off to pursue other interests, I don't think it's financially to your benefit to join, if you have the option. As was said, you'll have initiation dues taken out then monthly dues after that. You ready for that? You want that if you're only here for a yr or two?

You want some stability in your life if you choose to move on to other positions, such as driver, then you NEED to join. You will be faced with issues that you not believe could have existed in a corporation. You may be the hardest worker you have ever known and dedicated to your job but there will always be something in your 5, 10, 20, 30 year career that'll come up that you wish you had more protection.

Joining is not a matter of making more $. You get the same as your position pays, union or not. To me, it's a matter of protection. I've used the union many times over the years when I didn't plan to when I was hired. Not that I'm a trouble maker, I just want things done right when I do things right. You'll always come across a green supe that wants to knock the earth off its axis and come up with some off-the-wall plan that's gonna do that. It's gonna affect YOU. What recourse do you have when his/her plan is wrong and it's wronging YOU?

There's way more but this will get things rolling again for you and on here for you AND me. Watch.

You don't get any answers from your steward, then go to a BA directly.

Sleeve_meet_Heart · 04-08-2009, 11:37 AM

bottom line - if you can't accept a 20 year old pimple face with no life experience barking instructions to you, don't go union.

gandydancer · 04-08-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeve_meet_Heart

bottom line - if you can't accept a 20 year old pimple face with no life experience barking instructions to you, don't go union.

How is not joining the union going to prevent this?

bscott85 · 04-08-2009, 10:37 PM

if youre in a right to work state(where you dont HAVE to join the union)

then DONT

they still have to defend you and your paycheck will be fatter

chopstic · 04-08-2009, 10:49 PM

In my opinion... if you are part-time then there is really no point to join as the union caters only to full-timers. If you ever do decide to go full-time, You can at that time decide to join.

christian c · 04-09-2009, 06:44 AM

Thanks guys for the replies. I plan on staying with UPS for a very long time and I decided to join. At only 17 a month, I really dont see any reason not to.

Sleeve_meet_Heart · 04-10-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandydancer

How is not joining the union going to prevent this?

I meant if you're avoiding package handling oeprations. Of course if you're a non-union hourly package handling, that's different and face the same thing.

I don't know of many 20 year old pimple faces in charge of PT sups, OMS, sales, IE, etc etc. That's what i meant.

UPSNewbie · 04-10-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian c

Thanks guys for the replies. I plan on staying with UPS for a very long time and I decided to join. At only 17 a month, I really dont see any reason not to.

Remembering that the rate of dues goes up as your pay does.

Hoaxster · 04-10-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPSNewbie

Remembering that the rate of dues goes up as your pay does.

As does taxes.

Billy · 04-13-2009, 03:52 AM

smart choice, please be active in it.

Fnix · 04-13-2009, 10:05 AM

Remember you get a union raise so you might as well step up and help out.

JonFrum · 04-14-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian c

Thanks guys for the replies. I plan on staying with UPS for a very long time and I decided to join. At only 17 a month, I really dont see any reason not to.

Only $17 a month???

Wow! That rate must be deliberately set low to entice part-timers to join.

Here in Local 42 (Lynn, Ma.) most part-timers pay $41 per month, and the high-seniority ones pay $87 per month. And many part-timers, even the high-seniority ones, only get three-and-one-half hours a day or so.

Part-time Initiation Fee is $200.

3HrsOverAllowed · 04-15-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bscott85

if youre in a right to work state(where you dont HAVE to join the union)

then DONT

they still have to defend you and your paycheck will be fatter

I am a steward in a right-to-work state and you dont have to defend a non member, you just have to be present.

UPSNewbie · 04-16-2009, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3HrsOverAllowed

I am a steward in a right-to-work state and you dont have to defend a non member, you just have to be present.

Yep. Don't have to defend, just represent.

UpstateNYUPSer · 04-16-2009, 01:05 PM

Think of it this way--say you are on trial and you cannot afford a lawyer. You will be assigned a public defender who will represent you and then be reimbursed by the county; however, he will not work as hard for you as he would if you were paying him his regular fee for his services.

MonavieLeaker · 04-21-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UpstateNYUPSer

Think of it this way--say you are on trial and you cannot afford a lawyer. You will be assigned a public defender who will represent you and then be reimbursed by the county; however, he will not work as hard for you as he would if you were paying him his regular fee for his services.

Very well put

Troutman · 04-21-2009, 04:09 PM

I've been on both sides and my recommendation is to make sure that you get GOOD information when you ask questions because there is plenty of sources. Don't let some loud mouth or blow hard (union OR management) speak for you or try to BS you. Make up your on mind. Keep your cool, ask for clarification, show respect...most of the time it works very well. You also EARN a lot of respect with that method. Also, NO ONE ever won a shouting match....either party....both lose.

Hedley_Lamarr · 04-22-2009, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian c

I am in Texas so it's an option for me, and I have already talked to a steward. She wasn't very helpful with information and I was really looking for some unbiased pros/cons.

What??! A steward that does'nt have ALL the answers....