What the heck is the difference between union and non-union when it comes to work and why does everyone seem to majorly prefer union?

Question

Seriously, I’ve heard so many people cheer on union but when I search up what it is I don’t understand it in the slightest bit.

Please, explain like I’m five.

In: 7

Answer 1

There may also be downsides to being in a union. For example, it is often the case where there is no advantage to doing a good job. If you are the best worker, you will get the same raise as the worst, and if there is a layoff, the person with the least seniority goes first, regardless of how well they perform. I have heard this referred to as a “system that breeds mediocrity”.
 
If the union votes to strike, you can’t go to work even if you want to.
 
And some unions have long, well documented history of corruption. Workers were forced to kick back a percentage of their wages to keep their job.
 
On balance I would say unions have done more good than harm for all workers, but they are not the panacea for all employment problems.

Answer 2

Imagine you work in a factory and complain to the owner about poor conditions… he’ll just fire you and hire somebody else who won’t complain.

Imagine all 500 workers in the factory together express their concerns over poor conditions. He’ll be much more likely to address the issues because he can’t just fire and re-hire an entire factory full of workers. That’s what a union does… speaks on behalf of the entire workforce as a collective.

This gives workers more leverage in the relationship, to demand better pay, better working conditions (safety, realistic quotas, hours, etc).

Answer 3

In a union company, workers are paid based on seniority – those that have been in the union the longest get paid the most. In a non-union company any system is possible like paying the people who do the best/most work the most,

The people who don’t do the best/most obviously profer unions.

Answer 4

If it weren’t for the union, I, a female, would not have been paid the same as the men on my team. They had to pay me per the pay schedule with step raises every year. We were all paid the same. I know, by how I was mistreated in other ways, there is no way I would have been paid the same. Yes, there were some workers that abused the system but that’s with everything. And we kept the bastards in line.