Unions?

[FamilyGal]

http://nomchdunion.blogspot.com/

Dh and I have NO experience with unions. None, whatsoever. What are the pros and cons to being a part of a union? Dh and I are happy with his work and in fact, dh feels like things are better now than they have been in 18 years. The newbies are making waves and wanting a union.

Someone created a blog against it. I haven't read it, but will definitely check it out. I'm thinking that we don't want to be a part of a union, but haven't researched it. Since MCHD is funded from your taxes, I thought maybe some of you would be interested in the union debate. (Link above)

[eaglesprings]

I think it is really up to the employees. If the employees want to unionize, they must be seeing some sort of need. It should be majority rule, though.

I'm sure you'll hear all sorts of pros and cons from within the company and employee ranks. It would be hard for someone from another industry to really understand the needs of MCHD. Your best best is just to listen to those within that business and make your own personal choice on how to vote yourself.

[HereWeGo69]

If the employees want to unionize, they must be seeing some sort of need.

Could have something to do with the rediculasly low wages that were mentioned in another thread!

[FamilyGal]

Could have something to do with the rediculasly low wages that were mentioned in another thread!

True. I absolutely agree that EMTs/Paramedics at MCHD ((or any other service for that matter) do not make enough for what they are required to know. BUT, they know what they are going to make when they take the job. On the other hand, like teachers, this kind of job is for people that want to work in this field as a service and realize they won't be compensated for what they will need to know.

When I was applying to police academies, my mom kept talking about how I would never make enough to justify putting myself in harm's way. My answer was always, "But, this is what I WANT to do." I would have done it as a volunteer. My husband is the same way. He has never accepted the offers of promotion to a supervisor because he wants to work with the patients. Not be an adult daycare worker as he would be taking care of employee complaints.

Whether or not the union is a good thing for our family is up in the air. I hate to pay fees for something unless it is truly good for the employees.

Oh and aren't people that don't sign up for the union when one is available considered scabs or something like that? Aren't they looked down upon?

[eaglesprings]

"Oh and aren't people that don't sign up for the union when one is available considered scabs or something like that? Aren't they looked down upon?"


Times have changed a lot from "the early days." I think that would depend on your co-workers attitudes moreso than the union itself.

What I'm still somewhat unclear on though is "right to work" laws. I believe Texas is a right to work state, but you might still have to pay partial dues if you are covered by union protection and not an actual member. Don't quote me on that, but I think that's right.

[herself]

But when ever I worked in a union shop either in the union or as a support employee I had much better benefits and pay than I had in non-union shops.

Mostly they are a very good thing.

Scabs are people who cross picket lines during a strike.

If a shop goes union, everyone is usually in or out. You don't have union and non union employees doing the same job. Even if the shop is open it doesn't take the non-union guys long to figure out they will get a large pay raise and better benefits if they join.

Yes unions are crooked and the guys running them are just like the politicians in DC. Not to be trusted. But there is safety in numbers. Employees don't have to be whistle blowers when there is a problem the union can do it. Individuals don't have to put themselves out on a limb to get raises, benefits, better working conditions.

The only people I've met who don't like unions are those who have never been in one, so don't have first hand information about what they are talking about.

[eaglesprings]

Herself: At my husband's company, all employees get the same benefits and pay, whether they are in a union or not. However, it is the union that negotiates with the company. So, the non-union employees pay that portion of the dues, but are exempt from "union business" type fees. I might be explaining that wrong.

Of course, if an employee/employer conflict comes up, the union will represent their members in mediation.

I don't know if that is because Texas is Right to Work, or if it is an industry thing. (I'm actually not sure if Texas is "Right to Work" but I think it is).

We're happy as union employees, but I can understand it isn't for everyone, or perhaps even every career. If the hospital district employees decide to unionize, I'd have nothing but respect for their decision.

[FamilyGal]

If a shop goes union, everyone is usually in or out. You don't have union and non union employees doing the same job.

I don't "think" that is true. Come to find out, my brother-in-law worked for Eckerds (distribution center) that had a union. He was NOT in the union, but others were. He was given quite a hard time about it.

The thing with Montgomery County Hospital District having a union is the fact that it is primarily supported by tax dollars. I wonder how "that" works. Do they raise the taxes if the union fights for more money?

[eaglesprings]

Union members pay for their union. The union will negotiate for wages, benefits, etc.....

How that works (pay raises, benefits, etc) in a tax funded business, I really don't know. That's where you really need to ask those in that line of work, both employee and employer. Taxes can only be raised by a public vote, right?

[mdonn76405]

I don't "think" that is true. Come to find out, my brother-in-law worked for Eckerds (distribution center) that had a union. He was NOT in the union, but others were. He was given quite a hard time about it.

The thing with Montgomery County Hospital District having a union is the fact that it is primarily supported by tax dollars. I wonder how "that" works. Do they raise the taxes if the union fights for more money?

Yes. The difference between private and public, is that a private company can be run out of business. If a public company unit gets more, then taxes are raised to cover the increase.

[FamilyGal]

That post was from awhile back. So far, no union, but I know there are still several out there trying to unionize MCHD.

[TXrose]

[quote=FamilyGal;146]True. I absolutely agree that EMTs/Paramedics at MCHD ((or any other service for that matter) do not make enough for what they are required to know. BUT, they know what they are going to make when they take the job. On the other hand, like teachers, this kind of job is for people that want to work in this field as a service and realize they won't be compensated for what they will need to know.

.
quote]


This is true for most government jobs,the pay is lower but not sure a union could change the pay rate. Houston area teachers have a Union call the Houston Federation of Teachers, I'm not sure if it's the only teachers union in Texas but I do remember way back when I was a kid in HISD and the teachers went on strike (yep they did), they had subs come in to teach us, it was such a mess. I'm not sure HISD teachers have it any better than anyone else, I think like you said you go into these positions know the pay isn't as high as the public sector, you just have to decide is that what you really want to do.

[terces]

I would think a union for MCHD would work similar to those that have unions in other government entities such as the police unions. Officers have a choice of unions to join.. in fact there are quite a few out there. They work to negotiate higher pay and benefits for the officers. Its not a requirement but its recommended that officers join... the main benefit we get from the union is that they offer free legal representation to their members.

[mdonn76405]

I would think a union for MCHD would work similar to those that have unions in other government entities such as the police unions. Officers have a choice of unions to join.. in fact there are quite a few out there. They work to negotiate higher pay and benefits for the officers. Its not a requirement but its recommended that officers join... the main benefit we get from the union is that they offer free legal representation to their members.

Unions can be good. I belong to one when I was with HCSO. There main purpose was legal if we had a problem.

It just seems to get sleazy. HPD and HCSO had union management indicted.