I am a union carpenter(Local 804) in Wisconsin. The “right to work” bill was opposed by over 500 union construction companies in Wisconsin, for good reason.
As a union carpenter, I get no holiday pay, no sick day pay, no vacation pay, or “personal time off” pay. The saying is “the money stops when the hammer drops.
Construction unions are FAR REMOVED from what most people think of as “unions”.
In essence, a construction union is little more temp agency for the contractors.
You need two hundred carpenters for a mill shut down over the Fourth of July weekend? Call the hall. The men will be there, and they will be highly trained, highly skilled workers.
Like most of you, I think that most unions went “crazy” in their demands, but when it comes to construction, its a different ball game. One of the biggest union contractors in Wisconsin is wondering if this new law will allow him to survive.
This contractor understands that unless he has a highly skilled workforce at his beck and call, his business is in jeopardy.
What was the “good reason”?
Do you think it’s okay for unions to get dues from non-members?
What’s your view on closed shops?