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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 11:48 AM
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Union job

I'm Suppose to start a new job next week at smurfit stone container. It's a union shop represented by the united steel workers. I have a buddy who works there saying something may go down union wise, possibly the union may strike. Well anyways I'm going to be leaving one job for another. If they were to strike after I start how would this work out for me beings I will not be represented by a union until my 90 days are up? Will I continue to work, will my employment be out the door and be left without a job and no unemployment? I'm really unsure how its works. Anyone have experience in this and may know what I should expect and what could happen?
 
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 04:15 PM
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You won't be represented (protected) until your 90 days, but you will be paying dues your first 30 days or sooner. You will be stuck if they strike anytime soon with you being the new guy in town. In most states you DO NOT get unemployment for a strike. You need to do some serious investigation before you move to another job. Find out why they may strike froma union steward, not just a member. Talk with the companies HR department and tell them your concerns, without sounding desperate. You may or may not get a straight answere from anyone. I am personally not a union supporter, SO......IMO I would not change jobs unless I could get some assurances from the company HR dept. Really a tough call..........
 
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 09:27 PM
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Unions do not care about your well being... but they sure care about your dues being paid on time. Every union I have paid dues to have only got me laid off, so, I went management!! in this day and age and economy, any entity telling you to walk off the job is irresponsible.
Stay put until you have a better option.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2011 | 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by rmalottwtes30
I'm Suppose to start a new job next week at smurfit stone container. It's a union shop represented by the united steel workers. I have a buddy who works there saying something may go down union wise, possibly the union may strike.
You have to consider the likelyhood that you are being hired as a hedge against an expected strike. Which means whether they strike or not, once they sign a contract, you will be gone.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2011 | 09:46 PM
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This all came about once I was hired.
 
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Old Mar 8, 2011 | 10:25 PM
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I can see this going south in a hurry, but for my two cents I wouldn't believe HR any more than I would believe a union rep. Both have a vested interest in you coming there. I'd be inclined to call HR and just tell them that you'd heard that there were contract negoiations and that there might be a strike. Since you don't want to be caught in the middle you believe that you should wait until after the contract period is over and see how things sort out. After all you have to look at your best interests also. I'm guessing though that you haven't given notice to your present place of employment which might make things awkward. If you have I'd tell them first that you had reconsidered and decided to stay. They might make the decision for you whether you go to the next job or not.
 
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Old Mar 9, 2011 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by rmalottwtes30
This all came about once I was hired.
Not likely. They saw it coming. These things never happen in a fortnight.

BTW, Smurfit is coming out of BK. It's been less than a year since they filed, IIRC.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 12:27 PM
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WEll apparently there contract was up over a year and a half ago, the workers agreed on the new one but the union committee will not. The company said this is there final offer. My friend said there contract says they can not strike but the union committee is trying.

I really don't know what to do! I have a steady job been here 3 years but the pay isn't great. I take this new job and after my 90 days I'll have great pay, about 4 dollar an hour more then what I'm making now. But the catch is not knowing my future there.

Neogotiating is over now but they dont vote until next tuesday, the day after my intended start date. I wonder if they would change my start date so I can find out the outcome of the voting....
 
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by bpounds
Not likely. They saw it coming. These things never happen in a fortnight.

BTW, Smurfit is coming out of BK. It's been less than a year since they filed, IIRC.
Smurfit has also been bought out by rocktenn
 
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by rmalottwtes30
Smurfit has also been bought out by rocktenn
Correct, that had slipped my mind. That was within the last couple of months.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 02:16 PM
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It is my understanding that you will not be covered by any union benefits for 90 days, even though you will be paying union dues with your first check. However, you will be expected to follow union rules, which means if they strike you can NOT cross the picket line. You will NOT get the piddly amount the union gives to members during a strike (it really is a small amount...nowhere NEAR your working wages). In essence, you will be screwed. Neither side will care all that much about you or your situation. It's hard not to take that jump in salary, but NO salary for several weeks will be harder.
 
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