by Dr. Arcelita Imasa
It looks like many workers are forming unions these days. What are the pros and cons of forming or joining a union?
– Reader
Dear Reader,
Let’s look at some facts.
Unionized workers got large wage increases in 2023 while other workers’ wages barely kept up with inflation, according to a Bloomberg Report analysis of Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data.
Unionized workers had an average wage increase of 6.3% while non-union workers averaged under 4% with some seeing little or no wage increase.
Union members make more than the minimum wage whereas non-unionized workers often make the minimum or just a little bit more.
In Hawaii, 25.8% of our workforce makes the current minimum of just $14.00 per hour.
Unionized workers almost always have good benefits such as paid sick days, paid vacation, and health and dental insurance. Union members have job security through a written contract that spells out wages, benefits, working conditions, and how grievances will be handled.
And, they are not alone in dealing with grievances as they have a voice and will be represented by a union representative in dealing with their employer.
Union members have a voice at work through their union. That voice is reflected in job protections but, if employers are smart, workers often have good ideas about improvements that can lead to better services or products, greater efficiency, better morale, and a safer workplace.
Every year unions collectively train an estimated 100,000 of their members in workplace safety.
Through their union, employees can negotiate from a position of strength with employers over wages, benefits, workplace health and safety, job training, and other work-related issues.
Women union members are far less likely to face problems at work while pregnant, on maternity leave, or when they return to work.
Unions also play an important role in making sure that management acts fairly and treats its employees with respect.
Some unions even push for policies and changes that go beyond the immediate workplace and focus on the “whole worker” meaning their family and working families in the larger community.
For example, UNITE HERE (which primarily represents workers in hotels and airport food services) has successfully pushed for affordable housing, and funds to help workers buy homes and pay for college education in some states.
In Hawai’i, some unions support the work of the Hawai’i Workers Center with funding and support for campaigns to increase the minimum wage and provide paid sick leave for all workers even though their members usually have those benefits and more.
Proponents maintain that unions result in better wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers. Critics argue, that some unions are antagonistic towards employers and that union contracts make it more difficult to fire “unproductive” employees.
Indeed, union contracts protect workers from unjust firings.
Throughout labor history in the United States workers have heroically fought for decent wages and working conditions sometimes facing beatings, jail time, fines, and even loss of life to form unions and win labor rights.
There was a time when young children were forced to work long hours when there was no minimum wage or health or safety laws. Unions fought to establish the 8-hour day, overtime pay, paid vacations, and worker’s compensation, if injured. We have unions to thank for that.
As we head into the celebration of Labor Day, let’s remember the gains we have made, and let’s pledge to continue to strive for an even greater shared prosperity.
In Unity There is Strength!
Sincerely,
Hawaii Workers Center
DR. ARCELITA IMASA is a practicing family physician and the secretary of the Hawaii Workers Center’s Executive Committee of the Board. She grew up in the Philippines before migrating to Hawaii with her family more than a decade ago.
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