I'm sick and tired of my darn Union

I recently read in the newspaper that employees of a Seattle, Washington, store voted to decertify their union. A leader of the decertification campaign said, "Unions want to take our money, and we have to say ‘No!’ "

I must agree with this person because I belong to a union and all I get from my $39 dues per month are the following measly advantages and benefits:

• I’m forced to accept good medical and dental coverage plans that are paid for by my employer.
• I must accept use of an employee assistance program that my employer pays for.
• If I am called in early on my shift or on a weekend, I must accept a minimum three-hours’ pay for call-time, plus time-and-a-half, time-and-three-quarter, or even double-time pay for hours worked on a weekend.
• I must take five full weeks of vacation after 18 years of employment, fully paid for by my employer.
• I must accept to be paid by my employer when not working during statutory holidays.
• I am forced to have a good grievance procedure so that my employer is forced to treat me with respect and fairly.
• I am forced by my darn union to work in a safe and healthy environment.
• I also cannot believe how our pushy union is going to force a good, company-paid pension on me when I retire.

My union is also very democratic and regularly asks for my input. What is wrong with you union leaders anyway, running a union like this? The union leadership I voted to elect tells me I am the union. Some nerve, eh? Who do they think they are?
Unions are really terrible, that's for sure. I think I'll contact the Public Service Staff Relations Board and see if I can get my union decertified. I'm sick and tired of the union doing all these things for me.
Just think: when all of my benefits are gone, and I am working for minimum wage, at least I won't have to pay any more of those rotten union dues.

Anonymous contributor