The short time I've been there, I've found that union representation is a joke. They didn't even have layoff language in our contract. And the union just renegotiated the contract in #October!!!!
The problem I see is, there is a group of old guys. All close to retirement. They all been there for like 30-40 years. Then a small group of 3-6 year guys. Then a never ending turn over of guys at less than a year.
Older guys set up to retire, young guys that don't give a crap about the union. Most of them don't even realize what they could have if the representation was stronger.
This place would be better if they broke the union, let work ethic save your! I wouldn't be getting laid off then.
*Enough union ranting! This will only lead the thread to deleted replies or a lock!
Sounds to me like old guys historically had enough work to keep themselves set, and never cared about growing. Effort to do so gives no personal benefit, so why do the extra work?
Then, as old guys get older, they slow up a little. Leaves just enough leftover consistent work to support a small handful of younger guys that can pick up the slack.
Finally, as work flows, new guys brought in. As work ebbs, new guys laid off. The only ones who get to stick around are the handful picking up slack or who replace the earliest of retirees.
Those younger 3-6 year guys are just the luckiest that got in at exactly the right time.
I'd be more concerned about having enough able bodied, skilled individuals when mass retirements begin to happen. Lack of institutional knowledge in any business is bad, when you need a mass influx of inexperienced new employees the pain is real.
Might not be the best place to be when that happens anways, being one of the few thatve been around a while means you fix all the greenhorns mistakes, clean up their messes.
With covid, sounds like the UI bonus fed money will be around a while to let you find a better fit for the long haul with a more graduated membership structure. Just call it a learning experience so you know what to look for.
(As an aside note, I joined a firm where almost everyone was a 'partner' except the son of one partner and his friend. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians. Nepotism saw the kid and friend made partner without earning it. Quickly saw what a sh*tshow "top-heavy" organizations were. Stayed 3 years, longest 3 years of my life and jumped ship. It folded entirely within the year and a half after.) If somewhere has an irregular distribution is some category of employee, there's a reason and almost never a good one.
