I will only count two jobs because the first ones were not really "real" jobs.
The first job was with an inspection company. We did have good benefits, AWESOME 401(K), and a great pension plan. The 401(k) plan was dollar for dollar up to 6%. The president of the company tried to treat us fairly, but could only do so as far as the mamangers would let him. In other words, if the manager said guy number 1 was a good worker (buddy to the boss) to give him a larger raise while guy number 2 was not as good of a worker (wasn;t friends with the boss) the president essentially did as recomended.
I missed my best friends funeral, several weddings, countless concerts, and just being away from home. We would work 26 hours straight, if needed. The best of all was if you got 40 hours in early in the week, they would call you to tell you not to come in to avoind paying OT when they were charging the customer OT for us to be there for hours on end.
I train a guy to do his job and while he is being trained, he is making more money than I am. I never complained on what I make. I make what I make doing the job I do, BUT if everyone else is making $3.00/hr more than I am doing the same job, I feel it is unfair.
I have missed countless vacations, even though it was planned and scheduled months in advance, while other guys were asking for the day off the day before...and they got the time off.
I can not say it was all hell. I did get to travel the USA, seen places I would never see on my own (Such as the crypt of John Paul Jons in the USNA in Annapolis, MD. Shipyards in Maine, Mississippi, Florida, Virginia, S. Carolina...and others. I got to spend three months in Germany and while there, I was able to visit my grandmother before she died.
Ultimatly, favortism drove me away. Why should I work for less money than another guy because I do not take the boss hunting or fishing. I dontt stop by with a 6 pack to split it at the boss's house. To top it off, I was even certified in more diciplines than the other guy was.
That was a non-union job.
My current employer treats us right how the contract says. I can not get fired because I was late to work, but if I do it too many times, according to the contract, I will lose my job and there is nothing I can do about it.
Benefits are great, 401(k) leaves alot to be desired, and we have a fair pension plan. I like my work hours, I know what I make and all those in my department make the same money and we are all qualified the same. I can refuse OT, weekend work, they can not make me work over 12 hours, and I am not required to work anytime I don't want to that is outside of my regular shift.
I like knowing what I make and what the others guys make. Not having to deal with the brown noser trying to get a weekend off is worth the union dues alone. That is what being union is all about. It is not about throwing a "wildcat strike" is some manager looks at me wrong. It is not about demanding too much money.
It is about equal pay for equal work. Color, race, sex, religon, etc. has nothing to do with your pay.
It is sad that some businesses still give less money to blacks, hispanics, women, etc. It is truly sad that people are still punished for being a person of color or female.
Nobody under our contract has to worry about that...unless they get into managment which is non-union.
Tom
