GILLMAN JR. | How is this fair or just? Unions meddle with individuals’ labor agreements

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How is it fair to preempt my ability to negotiate my own terms of employment?

How is it fair to take money from my paycheck to fund the organization or organizations responsible for that preemption?

“Fairness” or “employee rights” are two things most commonly declared by union proponents when it comes to the benefits of unionization.

However, such claims are counterfeit – at least within the current context where government intervention exists in labor relations.

For a couple of summers, I worked for Air Wisconsin Airlines at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City. Initially I got hired to marshal in aircrafts as well as throw bags on the plane.

Through time, however, I took the initiative to learn how to check people in and rebook people on delayed/canceled flights.

These are things that the company normally has to spend considerable time and money on for training; however, I did it on the job.

Most companies would reward employees taking such initiative with higher pay or other benefits. The problem is that Air Wisconsin is unionized.

Pay is based strictly on seniority. There were instances where I was showing people how to do things who were getting paid more than myself. This is fair how?

Part of the U.S. labor code, in 29USC159, states that representatives (the union) shall be exclusive to all employees if they are voted in.

This means that despite the fact that I may not have wanted anything to do with the union, I’m still bound to the terms of the contract.

This even holds in right to work states where employees are not required to join the union and pay dues or agency fees.

I ask again: This abrogation of my right to freely associate is fair and advances my rights how, exactly?

I’m also curious as to how many people are currently unemployed because they are not allowed to work for sub-union wages where an employer might have been able to have them on staff otherwise.

I think such a study would be perfect for economics department graduate assistants who are proponents of the graduate student union on campus.