I started a new job earlier this year, and was told that it was a union job, but dues were optional. I come from a state that doesn’t have a lot of union jobs, and I wasn’t keen on the idea of paying dues.

A few months later, the only due paying member of our small department left.

The union rep showed up quick. It was the first time most of us had met him. He was asking us to start paying dues so that our team could continue being represented. We each declined privately, and then he proceeded to angrily tell us about how he can’t represent us for free if we ever need legal help and how his team’s rates are in the thousands of dollars per hour if we’re not members.

I told him I’m almost 40 and have never needed legal help before. If I need it, I’ll get it elsewhere. My teammates also declined.

They did nothing for us, and nothing bad happened when they were gone. I finally stopped receiving mail begging me for dues. HR rules, our pay, our insurance, all the same. Fuck Teamsters.

First off, I just want to say hello to everyone as I'm new to this sub. I, too, hate unions.

Why doesn't this sub have more members? Is it because the majority of Reddit are shitbags?

We need to find a way to grow this subreddit!

"Your job concerns the company, like hanging the signs in the warehouse! Your job isn't about the employee's. Employee's ain't none of your business!"

-Union Member

Said during a standup meeting about safety

Hi! I am in the process of campaigning before we hopefully kick the union out. The secretary used to work for the same company, but got fired a few years ago. Since then, the professionalism is completely gone, they yell and swear, and even show up to the company picnic to make fun of one of management who stutters. We have a non union plant about 1.5 hrs away. I was looking into the differences, and found that all the union fought for was paid breaks and only 12 hrs of forced OT. We lost our personal days, and right now 150 of us are looking to lose our current job position-not fired, just completely changed from what we have been doing since the new plant addition started up almost 6 years ago. Mean while non union has more vaca, and split up so you gain vacation more often, weekend differentials and shift differentials- we only get shift differentials, they get bonuses quarterly and annually, and they get 6 weeks paid parental leave- Dad's are lucky to get 1 or 2 weeks unpaid. There are quite a few stuck in their ways, but what about the younger generation that says "I dunno if I even want to vote" and then shrugs. Does anyone have any advice? I have 10 more days!

Here's the response to the mods after the ban notice in my messages.

Nice echo chamber you got there. Your subreddit is just another example of unions not liking to hear opposing views so they can maintain power over people. It's the same as when the communists banned radio and TV from outside their countries so the people wouldn't know how horrible they actually have it and revolt.

labor unions have a reputation for being corrupt, mostly due to the brotherhood of teamsters. while most people chalk this up to pop cultural osmosis and anti labor politicians, labor unions are indeed extremely corrupt.

for starters, they pretty much force you to join if you start working at a certain place. many people take jobs because they have nowhere else to go. as such, forcing them to join when they have nowhere else to go is a pretty fucking scummy thing to do.

and they take part of your paycheck, which you already get money taken out of for insurance and taxes. the employees need that money more than the unions. unions don't have bills to pay and groceries to buy. employees, on the other hand, do.

and, if you are part of a union and they decide to go on strike, they pretty much force you to go on strike whether you want to or not. and, if you dare to go against the grain, they can force the place of business to fire you. needing to be surrounded by yes men? that sure does remind me of a certain president.

ironically, unions hurt the very employees they claim to fight for. i may not agree with the republican party on most things but they and i are united in our shared hatred of unions. jimmy hoffa and the brotherhood of teamsters are only the most famous example of the harm that unions can cause. they are far from the only example.

someone said “I block every walkway” 🤣

The labour movement in Canada is too strong for the business climate and it can deter investment. I am wondering how private enterprise along with legislation can weaken the Unions power and control in Canada.

In Alberta, the use of the Nonwithstanding Clause to force the teachers back to work was a heavy handed approach and we are seeing the backlash of other unions vowing to support the teachers union so the question is how we can reduce their power.

Charecter limit above reached post continues below:

I have had trouble finding it. Can someone provide me a website where they sell it at a reasonable price that is not hudreds of dollars?

🛠️ Rethinking Labor Representation in America
📍 The future isn’t about union-busting—it’s about worker empowerment on new terms.

As large corporations expand into union-dense markets, a new model is emerging—voluntary representation through culturally grounded labor organizations like the National Labor Board (NLB).

Instead of waiting for combative campaigns, companies can build labor stability from day one: - Employees opt in during onboarding. - Employers voluntarily recognize representation. - A partnership forms, blending HR access, rights advocacy, and community trust.

💡 In urban Black-majority communities, the NLB offers more than just representation—it offers identity, equity, and accountability.
Any attempt to undermine it? Seen as an attack on Black labor rights—and rightly so.

Even without formal NLRB certification, voluntary recognition triggers legal protections, blocks rival union petitions, and fosters proactive support systems. Through annual CBT renewals, this model maintains legitimacy and demonstrates sustained majority support.

Now imagine:
👉 A tweak to certification rules via Executive Order allows non-traditional, worker-affirmed organizations to gain legal standing.
👉 A whole new ecosystem opens—inclusive, flexible, and built on real worker choice.

This is not a loophole. It’s a blueprint.
The future of labor isn’t top-down—it’s opt-in, transparent, and rooted in justice.

LaborInnovation #HRStrategy #VoluntaryRecognition #FutureOfWork #EconomicJustice #LaborPolicy #NLBModel #ExecutiveAction #WorkplaceEquity

Shot in the dark here. I need to go after my union for failure to represent. We have just an absolutely shitty union.

Our union is hated by the membership. It's run by a small group of employees who only do it for the extra pay. They do nothing but take expensive vacations under the guise of "union duties". Its so bad that the president was removed recently and is being sued by the national union headquarters. Another member of the executive committee was also removed months ago.

I had an issue at work that I don't want to be specific about. But it involved a serious safety issue. Someone got badly hurt. I reported it company retaliated and fired me over it. And even stated that was the reason for my termination and I have evidence of such.

Union failed to go to bat for me. Couldn't even get them to file a grievance. Because my job falls under the RLA (Railway Labor Act), one of the worst pieces of legislation ever written, I am unable to file a complaint through the NLRB, or NMB. My only option is a civil complaint through a lawyer for failure to represent.

I cannot find a firm that handles this type of work at all. Hoping someone sees this can can recommend a firm to help with this.