Can I be forced into a union? [update]

[BigToque]

I work for a small non-profit social service company that has maybe 10 office staff and 20-30 shift workers.

I don't know many of the details here, but somehow one of the shift workers ended up getting some union involved and over the past year there has been a vote (which had whatever percentage of support to go through), and "negotiations". This upcoming week there will be some meeting where the final "agreement" is being presented and being voted on. I can't be there to voice my displeasure.

I also got a membership application form in the mail today. This is probably the third or fourth over the past six months.

I have no interest in being part of this, and certainly won't be signing an application.

Can I be forced into a union if I worked for the company before this union was brought in?

I am a shift worker, and only the shift workers are going to be in the union. I also know that none of the office workers like the union idea either.

UPDATE:
I wrote to the union and this is what I was told:

The Collective Agreement between [employer] and UFCW, local [xxx], as negotiated will be a closed shop, meaning that those individuals who hold positions within the scope of the bargaining unit will be required to be union members. Therefore, if you will not be completing a Union membership application you will not be able to continue in your current capacity with [employer]. Members will have thirty (30) days from date of ratification to complete this obligation.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Depends on your State. I came in expecting a mail order 'groom' story.

 

[Fenixgoon]

for some reason i want to say the answer is yes (which is ridiculous if you ask me)

but IANAL or other legal person familiar with how unions work, so dont put much weight on my response

 

[TheSiege]

If you are lucky you will be....Its worth it

 

[ElFenix]

depends if you are in a 'right to work' state or not

 

[Svnla]

When I used to work in a very large manufacturing plant, it was "refer" that you join the union or your name will be in the hall of shame section in the union monthly newsletter and other union members would treat you like trash.

But you did not have to join the union because of the right to work law.

 

[Imp]

No idea, but if you have to openly defy everyone and complain, you're going to feel some "peer pressure".

 

[destrekor]

I work for a small non-profit social service company that has maybe 10 office staff and 20-30 shift workers.

I don't know many of the details here, but somehow one of the shift workers ended up getting some union involved and over the past year there has been a vote (which had whatever percentage of support to go through), and "negotiations". This upcoming week there will be some meeting where the final "agreement" is being presented and being voted on. I can't be there to voice my displeasure.

I also got a membership application form in the mail today. This is probably the third or fourth over the past six months.

I have no interest in being part of this, and certainly won't be signing an application.

Can I be forced into a union if I worked for the company before this union was brought in?

I am a shift worker, and only the shift workers are going to be in the union. I also know that none of the office workers like the union idea either.

As others have said, depending on your state, you may be able to continue working as a non-union employee.
Otherwise, if you wish to remain employed, you must join the union. You can blame your moronic coworkers (really, it does benefit the individual employee, but robs everyone including the collective group of coworkers/employees... imho). Since there was a vote, and the majority of those who appeared cast a favorable vote... that voice represents the entirety of the workforce to be unionized.

Unions need a lot of careful attention to actually produce benefits for everyone who utilizes what the company offers. And it's very very easy for corporations and union leaders to neglect that portion of their duties, and we can see the result in just about every major urban center that is more union that not.

In case it's not obvious, I despise unions. As I said, they can benefit the employee, but the employee who is only looking out for his own can be blind and dangerous. When they are new or their industry is booming, they can provide major benefits to their community... but they rarely stay current and cause major problems when things settle down. All the while, the happy employee ignores the consequences or, most likely, blames everyone but the group to which he belongs.
And to be fair, it's not really the fault of the normal union member - it's the likely failure of it's leadership, because the decisions that often must be made to remain current can have devastating effects. But those devastating effects can be made short-term if localized... if no action is taken, which is rare because of how unfavorable it is in the eyes of the employees and community at large... the effects blossom and make shit a hell of a lot worse than it needs to be.
Typically modern age approach - blind to the future, ignorant of long-term impacts, and unwilling to accept immediate sacrifices for the greater good of the long-term (which could be as soon as retirement/the next generation taking the reigns). It doesn't hurt me, who cares? Amirightorright?

[Sorry, a demon hellspawn from P&N just hijacked my body. I killed it dead. So sorry.]

 

[AlienCraft]

No, you have the right to be a scab.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

in mass., if the majority of employees in an office voted for the union, all members of that office would be unionized.

 

[DrPizza]

It seems pretty unusual for a non-union shop to vote to become union - unless there was some underlying reason. i.e. people getting shitty pay, shitty hours, being treated like workers from a 3rd world country, etc.

 

[jlee]

In NH, I didn't have to join the union but I had to pay dues regardless (so I joined).

 

[gorcorps]

You will be chastised for not joining the union. I fucking HATE unions. The original point of them has been completely lost on the large scale industries. I know each union is different, but in my experience unions give an "us vs. them" mentality with salary/management folk and union folk. It's awful for workplace morale. It also seems to bring out the laziest SOBs on the planet. Fuckers know they don't have to do shit because the union will have to fight for their job in case of being let go. I haven't seen many positives where I've worked.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

It seems pretty unusual for a non-union shop to vote to become union - unless there was some underlying reason. i.e. people getting shitty pay, shitty hours, being treated like workers from a 3rd world country, etc.

you're DrObvious tonight

 

[frostedflakes]

As mentioned, depends on the state. You'll either be forced to join (closed shop), not forced to join but forced to pay dues anyway (agency shop), or not forced to join (open shop/right-to-work).

 

[BladeVenom]

See if you can't become a salaried employee.

 

[Bateluer]

Others have answered the OP's question, but OP, you'd better hope to God that Unions stay out of your work place. Ugh.

 

[DrPizza]

you're DrObvious tonight

The point being, there must be something about working there that sucks that his coworkers feel that forming a union will solve. Why doesn't it suck for him?

 

[Schadenfroh]

If your gray, your likely screwed.

 

[BigToque]

The company provides support for individuals with mental disabilities. The biggest issue with the position is you don't really know where your next shift will be because staff need to be moved around to accommodate what happens with our clients.

The hours of work are fairly consistent, the pay is slightly higher than most other companies in the same line of work, and we have pretty decent health insurance. Getting time off is generally as easy as giving a weeks notice. To make up the time you just take on another shift another day.

I have no idea why any of the staff thought it would be a good idea to form a union. I don't know what they expect out of it other than getting to pay union dues.

 

[mmntech]

You will be chastised for not joining the union. I fucking HATE unions. The original point of them has been completely lost on the large scale industries. I know each union is different, but in my experience unions give an "us vs. them" mentality with salary/management folk and union folk. It's awful for workplace morale. It also seems to bring out the laziest SOBs on the planet. Fuckers know they don't have to do shit because the union will have to fight for their job in case of being let go. I haven't seen many positives where I've worked.

Unions are a business. Like any other business, they exist only to make money. They're basically talent agencies run by bullies. They get their way through intimidation tactics, occasionally threats of violence. Something that would be considered illegal or at least unethical for any other business to do. You work hard to make some corporate fat cat rich, or some union fat cat rich. It's a loose/loose situation.

I'd consider finding a new job.

 

[BabaBooey]

No, you have the right to be a scab.

 

[DaTT]

You will be chastised for not joining the union. I fucking HATE unions. The original point of them has been completely lost on the large scale industries. I know each union is different, but in my experience unions give an "us vs. them" mentality with salary/management folk and union folk. It's awful for workplace morale. It also seems to bring out the laziest SOBs on the planet. Fuckers know they don't have to do shit because the union will have to fight for their job in case of being let go. I haven't seen many positives where I've worked.

This.

 

[TheSiege]

Its funny how people who have never been in a Union complain about them. Each Union is different and each local is different as well. I love my Union, ask any IBEW worker that was once non union and they will tell you its alot better being union. It seems to be that way typically with trades and even more so in construction. As for other unions(textiles, teachers, UAW) I wouldn't know. But as far as construction goes, its 10 times better then non union.

Edit: Costruction also has the benefit to claim work is getting slow, and their are no jobs ahead and they can lay off the lazy people. And please lets be honest, lazy SOBs aren't exclusive to unions.

 

[Wordplay]

Its funny how people who have never been in a Union complain about them. Each Union is different and each local is different as well. I love my Union, ask any IBEW worker that was once non union and they will tell you its alot better being union. It seems to be that way typically with trades and even more so in construction. As for other unions(textiles, teachers, UAW) I wouldn't know. But as far as construction goes, its 10 times better then non union.

Edit: Costruction also has the benefit to claim work is getting slow, and their are no jobs ahead and they can lay off the lazy people. And please lets be honest, lazy SOBs aren't exclusive to unions.

Nope. They promise to keep you working but when the time comes they have no work lined up but still expect you to contribute. My cousin, a journeymen bricklayer, couldn't get work out of the union, just the run around. Most of the money the union saved for emergency times was gone because of "bad investments". I think he got half of what he was suppose to get and even then it took months before he even seen a dime of that.

My father was in a union as well. Once his plant closed his union did nothing. All he got was a too bad so sad speech from them.

Me personally I would be pissed if I was forced into a union.