I have a question about unions in AK (house, transfer)

[Eaber2Alaska]

I am from NJ and here unions are very powerful. They influence elections and everything. I am wondering if the union in Alaska are anywhere near as powerful there? My husband is a union member here in NJ but we want to move to Alaska and am not sure how important the union there is. Is it worth trying to get into the union?

[roadfamily6now]

I dont think they are as powerful and I know you can get a great job without being union (construction wise) but I'm not 100% up to speed with the unions. I know DH has worked construction for the past 10 years here and only been with the union once for like 4 weeks.

[cuatro01]

Unions' power is modest at best, from what I've seen so far. It's really no different than on a national scale... various state and federal regulations over the years have filled the void that was the original need for unions (minimum wage, health and safety, etc.). Of course there are still exceptions in some pockets of the country because of an ingrained culture, but I haven't seen that Alaska is in that situation.

[Eaber2Alaska]

In nj its virtually impossible to work at all without a union. even the people at mcdonalds and the grocery store are union employees. we checked out the union website for anchorage and the seem to have a good wage contract but it can be difficult to transfer unions and im just wondering if its worth the effort ya know?

[roadfamily6now]

I don't know. Sorry. I know DH has gotten work easily and had good wages without the "help" of a union.
I read in the other thread your family is in the plumbing trade. There is work for here that. But one word of caution, DO NOT work for a company called KLEBS.

Good Luck

[cuatro01]

Transfer unions? The company is the employer, not the union.

[Eaber2Alaska]

Well techinically his job has an in house union so the union is the job. But as far as transferring unions, one problem (which I am waiting for an answer from the union in AK, but the arent returning my email) is that the union in AK has a 5 year apprenticeship and his union here has a 3 year apprenticeship. We arent sure if he will be considered a journeyman in AK or if he is going to have to be an apprentice again.

[Chilkoot]

Alaska has one of the largest union memberships in the nation at about 22%. New Jersey is about 19%. Unions are strong in Alaska but not as vocal as they were during the peak of the pipeline days in the 70's and early 80's. They can influence elections but they do it subtly.

[TL551]

I work for the state and we are unionized. I know they have helped with a few of my co-workers that had some wage issues. So, I do think there are some areas in which they work aggressively. They help provide good benefits for us. I still have yet to see how the health care plan has yet to affect the union though.