Unions, should I join or not?

Mostly ever industry in today’s society have there own associations to affiliate with, whether it’s for political or religious reasons. Each association usually has different departments or teams, which do different things within the community or even at a legislative level. Some industries don’t have an association like that does things in the community or anything; instead we have what we call unions. For example, the elevator industry has their union, which is called the International Union of Elevator Constructors (I.U.E.C.). It is funny that I am actually talking about this specific union, because my brother is actually part of this union himself.

Now many have mixed feelings about unions and how they work. For example, my brother has been in his industry for over 15 years already and is the regional supervisor for all the jobs that are being done in the South Florida area. Last year he was laid off for about 9 months due to today’s economy and the depression that we are going through. The union’s job is to come in and find him a job when he does not have one. Well after paying $500 in union dues monthly. The union was not able to find him a job at all.

Ladies and Gentlemen the point that I am trying to get across to you guys is that all unions are not the same. The industry that I am in which is the Recording engineering sector is very different than many. Yes, although we are unionized, our union is much different than many of the other ones. For example, the Recording Industry Association of America (R.I.A.A.), has many community groups that work in different areas. The main group that they have which I love and I am actually part of is “Musicians on Call” this group is a group of musicians that go out periodically to local hospitals and visit the patients by going room to room and signing different autographs and sometimes even performing for the patients. Another great thing that this union does for its people is in the legislative level. They recently just passed a bill in the state of Florida with the help of Senator Anitere Flores, to give the right to engineers of intellectual properties.

Yes, like any other union that exists it does have its dues that you have to pay but at least it is not $500 a month. Our dues are paid annually. Another thing that this union has that I am not to happy about is that if you want to work in this industry you are obligated to join the union no matter what. No studio will hire you as an engineer if you are not part of the union.

In result, all unions have their pros and cons but sometimes you have no choice but to be part of the union of your industries choice. Although not many of them do a great job. I believe and feel that the union that I am in is the best one of all, for both the workers and the community.