Several of the reps in my store want to go union. Tired of the wireless b.s. and absurd quotas. Getting out of hand. What are the pros and cons of going union? We will do it just to piss off Lowell and upper management regardless. What does that mean for scheduling? Doesn't that go off of seniority? The most tenured get to choose their schedules? And off holidays better hours? Tired of this company. I know many others are too. It's time to make a stand. I used to see this as a career. No more.
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union cant save you, most likely will only make you a target. unions mattered when skill mattered, now you can fill any job posting with any of 100 applicants
Pros:
1) Everything is negotiable for your contract... EVERYTHING! Don't let Verizon tell you otherwise
2) You will not pay Union dues until a contract is negotiated and accepted.
3) Once you vote the Union in, Verizon cannot change things arbitrarily
4) The Union may be able to negotiate a higher severance if you are laid off
5) You will join a family of CWA workers and members who support each other (although some of their rude comments on this page would make you think otherwise and they should be ashamed of themselves)
6) You will have someone negotiating in your best interest rather than in the interest of the company.
Cons:
1) You will be shunned by leadership and non-Union supporters for wanting to Unionize.
2) Your commission structure and all policies are frozen in time until you get a contract. Everything (even the smallest changes) have to be run by and approved by the Union even if it benefits you.
3) Verizon will lie to you about what the Union can and cannot do for you. Educate yourself.
4) You may need to strike from time to time
5) Union dues ( which are worth it if you get a good contract)
The first step is to reach out to the CWA and educate yourself. Have a list of questions ready to ask. Really evaluate if it's right for you and your coworkers. Don't sign anything until you have done all of your research and understand the process. Good Luck!
Ugh...another retail retard. Union ain't going to save your dumb retail a$$. Go apply at Walmart.
Work until the day you die, type of job
Probably to late. Wireless should have gone union 15 years ago. The company has the employees where and how they like them trapped and scared. Take advantage of the tuition reimbursement educate yourself and leave. There are much better ways to make a living in particular if you need to work for many more years. If you only need to work for 5 or so years just s--- it up and suffer till the end.
Oh and i meant to add there are no union rules that disqualify you from spiffs or contests the members vote if they want to participate or not. Again more misinformation spread by those who don't favor the union
Coming from someone who was in a Union and was in the CWA there's practically nothing bad that can come form unionize get. In a industry that's putting more and more demand on the frontline and rewarding upper management how isn't this an industry that needs a Union?
Ask yourself this are you happy seeing layoff after layoff and having more workload dumped on you without compensation, are you tired of high quotas and ridiculous observations? I would like to think the answer is yes and as a frontline worker who helps build the cash flow this company currently has don't you think you deserve some say?
I'm not saying Union can fix all this, they're there to fight for fair prodcedures and roles for your job title, they are their to fight for fair wages, fight for better benefits and most importantly job protection. You get pulled into the office its your word vs management and it shouldn't be that way. The Union is their to back you up and make sure you don't get screwed over.
If you go into work everyday bust your a-- to support yourself and family you want to do what's best for them, making sure you have a job to support them is top priority i would assume.
Now sure some people may not be happy being in Union but just like any large group their will always be some who like and some who dislike that doesn't make union a bad thing at all?
At the end of the day you gotta do what you feel is right for you and no one can force you otherwise, but if you do as the previous poster suggested research and educate yourself your will see being Union is well worth it.
Do what you want but you may want to reach out to some locations in Brooklyn who went Union and no aren't so happy. The union won't control your quotas but what it will do is disqualify you from any contests/SPIFFs due to them not being allowed by Union rules. There's a lot more you need to think of instead of just getting upset and making a decision that not only impacts you but anyone who may transfer or be a new hire in your location moving forward. All I ask is educate yourself around unions in a retail environment. Unions do good things but I don't think they have their place in a sales environment. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.