The Disadvantages of Being a Union Member

Trade unions were created to give workers a voice in a world that was increasingly dominated by large industries. Collective bargaining agreements narrowed the size gap between the large company and the individual worker. While unions were instrumental in gaining some important reforms in labor law, they do have some disadvantages for their workers.

Union Dues

The most obvious burden that unions place on their members is the charging of annual dues. These are to support the activities of the union organization. However, they are not entirely optional; in some cases, non-union workers who are employed at a unionized workplace are forced to pay partial dues despite their non-membership. The amount of the dues varies across occupations, but they can be hundreds of dollars per year, and workers can face penalties if they fail to pay their dues.

Strikes

The primary tool that unions use to force employers to meet their demands is the strike. When a union declares a strike, workers do not go to work. The point of a strike is to inflict financial damage on the employer so that the company will listen to the union. Strikes can be difficult for workers, too, who are forbidden to work and earn their paychecks. Striking employees face the fear of losing their jobs and the reality of missed wages.

Loss of Individual Bargaining Power

The union has a monopoly over worker negotiation with the employer. This means that any issues that employees want to raise must be approved by the union. If an employee has a complaint or a suggestion that runs counter to the interests of the union, he cannot bring it to the attention of the company. He thus gives the union the power of issue selection in exchange for being represented by its greater negotiating power.

Fines

Many of the disadvantages associated with unions are conflicts between individual and community interests. The union is a voluntary membership organization; however, its stability is undermined if its members are allowed to leave it whenever their interests diverge. Thus, unions levy fines against their employees for taking certain actions. These include working during strikes and engaging in negotiations outside of the union. These fines are enforced by the courts, so workers cannot flout union rules and hope to avoid repercussions.

References

• Mackinac Center for Public Policy: Disadvantages of Union Representation