08/31/2017 – Postal workers know first-hand that union jobs are good jobs. Unions help workers join together and bargain with their employer for better wages, benefits and working conditions. However, unions also stand up for the rights of workers who are not currently in a union. They are a rising tide that lifts all boats.
According to the Economic Policy Institute’s report How Today’s Unions Help Working People, unions are under attack at a time when they are needed more than ever. “Unions raise workers’ wages and strengthen their rights at work, but they also give working people a voice in our democracy,” said EPI President Lawrence Mishel.
Union Strong
A union’s strength comes from its members. The report explains that “working people in unions use their power in numbers to secure a fairer share of the income they create.” Union members earn an average 13.2 percent more in wages than non-union workers with similar education, occupation and experience in the same sector.
However, unions also help raise wages across entire sectors of the economy. “Workers who are empowered by forming a union raise wages for union and nonunion workers alike. As an economic sector becomes more unionized, nonunion employers pay more to retain qualified workers and norms of higher pay and better conditions become standard,” says the report.
Additionally, unions raise the fortunes of groups who are often economically disadvantaged in the U.S. According to the report, as of 2016, about 10.6 million of the 16.3 million union members are women and/or people of color. More than a third (35.8 percent) are black, Hispanic, Asian or other nonwhite demographic. Almost half (46.3 percent) are women.
‘Rebuild’ the System 
Elected officials routinely pass legislation that strangles collective bargaining rights – and the results are clear. In 2016, only 10.7 percent of workers belong to a union, compared to about 35 percent in the mid-1950s.
Workplace organizing campaigns also come with risks. Between the 1990s and the early 2000s, the likelihood that an employer would use 10 or more union-busting tactics in its anti-union campaign doubled. “Sixty-three percent of private employers interrogate workers about union support in mandatory one-on-one meetings between workers and their supervisors, and 54 percent of employers threaten workers in such meetings,” the report added.
However, almost half (48 percent) of those polled for the report said they would vote to join a union in their workplace tomorrow. Young workers support unions, as well: 55 percent of workers polled aged 18 to 29 said they view unions favorably, compared to 46 percent of workers aged 30 and older.
“Unions – when strong – have the capacity to tackle some of the biggest problems that plague our economy, from growing economic inequality, wage stagnation, and racial and gender inequities to eroding democracy and barriers to civic participation…we must work together to rebuild our collective bargaining system,” the report concludes.
source: APWU
Actually,if one honestly looks at the graphs from the 1950s thru 2015,the decline in labor percentage of workers;it oddly matches the declines in weekly religious services throughout much of the United States,and even more so,in Canada and-also most of Europe. Perhaps,despite some of unscientific surveys,actual interest in union organization: is in a contnued indefinite decline-as is interest in organized religion. May,I dare to suggest that organized religion and the union movement share some less than humanly desirable characteristics,such as continued corruption,hypocrisy,and especially arrogance. The arrogance lies in their continued doubling-down,on their failing methods.
So the Teamsters would have not allowed annuitants to take cuts? Plenty of teamsters would tell you different. Our government wants our nation to go back to the 19 TH century in labor relations. The first big movement was for the eight hour day. The employers didn’t want the eight hour day, they demanded ten or more hours per day for $ 1.50 in pay. In 1867 the state of Illinois passed legislation for the eight hour day. Business was against the law. So the state of Illinois refused to enforce the law. You employees think the job would be better union free? Just wait till it happens!
Any worker that just hates their union, just think how bad it would be without a union! With President Dump and his anti worker stance. I noticed from the Washington Post a story about the UMWU supported D. Dump for President. Since January 10 coal miners have died in mine accidents. The Mine Safety Administration has been told not to enforce safety laws, costs jobs. Now the UMWU is upset. What did they expect?
What about Nabasco, Hostess, the Longshoremen in Portland. They screwed themselves with ass clown tactics. They now have no job.
The real problems, are that many of the people in the APWU(Local) union office,are amongst the people with the worst temperaments;and the lowest levels of intelligence. Of course,the day-to-day functions of postal-workers unions,are at the(local),levels. And,of course,USPS management,shares the same humankind flaws. These were my observations,as a mail-processor for nearly 31-years. Fortunately,I was able to retire,two-years ago.
Sure looks like the unions paid for this one sided survey?? Truth be told, the APWU and other unions like the ” Teamsters” are not created equal and are not even in the same ballpark!!!! The “Teamsters” union would have not allowed its retirees to be thrown under the bus with respect to its Healthcare benefits like the APWU has done recently when endorsing the Postal Reform bill!!! I’m sorry…there is just no comparison between the two…the APWU has gone downhill with its current leadership that has turned its back on retirees that supported the union during their working years and need their support more than ever now that they are retired!!
Anyone want to be a shop steward? Seventeen years was enough for me.