Welcome to SPJ Blogs Sign in | Join | Help

"Side by side we for freedom will fight"

Are you in a union?

When I started work here a couple years ago, I was invited to join the media union. I was all for it, being a fan of Utah Phillips music, and was surprised at the number of people who advised against joining.

I didn't see anything wrong with joining. Workers pay for the privilege of belonging to a group that will protect them from the 'boss man.'
I don't picture management here as the enemy, instead I see the higher-up people as the ones we're fighting against for raises and job security.
Our union contract at the moment is up for negotiation, and the division between management and writers and editors has caused some tension in the newsroom. Is this normal?

Are unions common in the industry?
If you're in a union, do you see your immediate supervisors as the ones to fight against? Do unions do more good than cause problems?

I get the feeling unions may be outdated - and that's a scary thought.

Please share your union experiences if you have them!
Published Friday, September 28, 2007 7:35 PM by ElysseJames
Filed Under: ,

Comments

# re: "Side by side we for freedom will fight"

Sunday, September 30, 2007 1:54 PM by SonyaSmith
I am not in a union. No unions at the OCRegister. My only experience with a union is my dad was in a union as an electrician. I don't get the feeling at all like my bosses are trying to gip me out of money and benefits. Sure, I'm not paid a whole lot - but I've only worked "professionally" for two and a half years. Think about how many people start out as journalists and give up on it after a few years. Most of those people say its the pay, but I really wonder how many would have only stuck around a little longer if given more pay - still eventually leaving. When possible, my bosses have given me pay raises, and I'm sure they'll continue to in the future. And - with all the layoffs going around - I'm just happy to still have a job doing what I love.
Anonymous comments are disabled. Please log in or create an account to comment on this article.