When Chrysler bought Gulfstream they were scared to death that the UAW would come in. Gulfstream increased all benefits, implemented a COLA with rollovers and the average raise was 5% and 7% or more for top performers. Managers were able to put key people in positions where they could perform at there best without input from HR. There was no need for a Union.
Then comes General Dynamics. Being a defensive contractor, most of their history was dealing with unions. They would randomly lay-off knowing the employees would return when recalled due to the benefits the union would fight for. The only oversight to the way they treated employees was union contracts. The non-representative employees (salary) were treated very similar to the way things are currently at Gulfstream.
Having worked both union and non-union, it comes down to how the company treats you. There is no need for a union in a company that values its employees and appreciates there hard work and sacrifices (both to their bodies and personal life) over time. But when you become number, you need someone to represent you. Everyone has become a number at Gulfstream, even some who dedicated there whole carrier to the company only to be laid-off in some reduction in force.
For decades General Dynamics has fluctuated it’s workforce through lay-offs depending on program maturity and orders. However, the union contracts would force them honor seniority. This helps protect employees who have dedicated most of there professional life to the company and have established there families in the community. It also creates a dilemma for the company of how deep to cut. You can’t have a production floor full of 50 year olds, so the company has to balance what might be a reactionary RIF.
It is truly a time for representation at General Dynamics, because it’s no longer Gulfstream. Reach out to the other divisions, I’m sure they will help.