To join... or not to join...

[Mrs Pony]

A Union that is...

I have the option of joining AUS or PSA.

In the US I never had this option so I have NO clue about Unions.

Are they worth it?

What are the benefits?

Likes/Dislikes?

For a little background... I've got a Perm. job which I start in the new year (currently on contract in another dept.) at a University.

Thanks for the help!

[Jo Jo]

I had a similar quandary six years ago when I left a commercial organisation to work for a not-for-profit organisation. I joined the union, and had no regrets about it.

In general, workplaces with unions offer better employment benefits, and union members have more job security (because employers are much less likely to illegally dismiss someone in a union as they know the union will fight for the employee's rights). However, non-union members in a workplace generally benefit from the presence of a union as much as members do in terms of employment benefits, because it is unlawful to discriminate against employees on the basis of union membership (so the same employment benefits have to be offered to everyone, regardless of whether they belong to the union or not).

There are drawbacks to unions, of course - to employers, they can be a pain in the bum.

But as an employee, I can't think of any real drawbacks.

If I were in your shoes I would find out how many employees in your new workplace belong to a union, and which union has the larger number of members, and I'd then read up about each of the unions online, and speak to the union reps in the workplace to find out why they think you should join one union rather than the other. I'd also find out about how much membership would cost. But, I'd probably join just for the job-security.

The Department of Labour has an overview of unions here that you might find useful.

[TonnyTessa]

One difference I have found so far (also working in a university), is that non-union members get the union-negotiated salary increases a month later. So far I haven't noticed any other differences, but then I haven't been here long enough really, only 10 months in

[eternalkiwi]

I have found the support from unions to vary between organisations, even when it is the same union. So it can depend on the union delegates and reps who are involved with your university.

In addition to the benefits of advocacy and contract negotiation, unions also offer discounts on goods and services, like petrol or insurances, and special member benefits like discounted holiday homes, which may help offset the $7 or so dollars a week membership costs.

If the union is particularly strong they can negotiate member only benefits from your employer though, as others have mentioned, non-members are legally entitled to the same contract terms so this does not always occur.

Shawn

[Fern01]

I have found the support from unions to vary between organisations, even when it is the same union. So it can depend on the union delegates and reps who are involved with your university.

So true, for years I paid my dues, never saw a union rep, let alone anything else that unions are supposed to do. It all depends on the strength of the union.

[victoria24]

being a child of Britain in the 70's i'm very nervous around unions and the concept of them. I do however feel that a balance of power can benefit all. for the first time in my life I will listen to my work union to see what they have to say rather than dismissing the idea out of principal.