Unions and Employment (health insurance, home, contractors)

[LoveSnow]

New Hampshire is not a Right to Work State. My understanding is that it may be greatly influenced by the union movement. Is that so? How does it affect your employment or business?

I am in TX and all I know about unions comes from text books. For the most of out adult life, my husband and I have been owing a business and lately employing people. Dealing with unions is at the bottom of our wish list.

So how powerful are unions up there? How does working or employing people in NH compare to doing so in a Right to work state? How different it may be?

[LoveSnow]

Hmmm.... Nobody can say anything. I guess it means no difference. Has anyone noticed any? Not even when you found a great new job?

[lily h c]

I am a union carpenter, (12 years). I worked non-union before (2 1/2 years). The difference is pay, working conditions (much safer), much better training in my craft, and benefits (i.e. health insurance, pension) working union. I personally worked harder, and took pride in my craft when I was treated well. Also, as a woman, there is less discrimination. [SIZE=3]There is no discrimination in pay whatsoever with the union.[/SIZE]

I am now management. I see the difference as a standard. The union is a community, concerned with standards, industry innovation, training its workforce, and advocating for laws that help create a good business climate for contractors and workers. Also know, unions often invest in the community, contributing to local charities.

Your lack of response to you post may be in part due to the fact that many are early riser.

[Chinolala]

I agree with lily. I'm not a union member, however, I will only hire union tradespeople to do any work in my home whether it be carpentry, electricity, plumbing, etc. Most of the programs require extensive 2 year apprenticeships and I can trust that they know what they're doing.

[GregW]

If you want something done right the first time hire a union trained worker.

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by lisak64

I agree with lily. I'm not a union member, however, I will only hire union tradespeople to do any work in my home whether it be carpentry, electricity, plumbing, etc. Most of the programs require extensive 2 year apprenticeships and I can trust that they know what they're doing.

How do you know if a private contractor is a union member, and WHY would he be? How does a private contractor benefit from collective bargaining?

[Carbondated]

I have a question...Would my husband have to go through a two year apprentice program if he has been in a trade for 10+ years in another state? It's not a licensed trade, but does have to meet government requirements.

[GregW]

Carbon - Call the appropriate union and ask.

[399083453]

Originally Posted by LoveSnow

So how powerful are unions up there? How does working or employing people in NH compare to doing so in a Right to work state? How different it may be?

Unions are very weak in NH. Very few of them.

If you plan on treating people badly, and firing them regularly, you will find yourself in court. As individuals, they will just sue you. You see allot of that in NH with workers. I'm willing to bet, its cheaper to negotiate with a union than it is to pay legal fees on top of settlements of workers who feel they were wrongfully fired.

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by 399083453

Unions are very weak in NH. Very few of them.

If you plan on treating people badly, and firing them regularly, you will find yourself in court. As individuals, they will just sue you. You see allot of that in NH with workers. I'm willing to bet, its cheaper to negotiate with a union than it is to pay legal fees on top of settlements of workers who feel they were wrongfully fired.

Maybe, but as a business owner, you should be insured for liability issues so the expense is with the insurance co.