General Discussion
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I've never done this before. IF there is a union member in your family, please check in.
And remember we have a DU Labor Group here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1117
OS
Emile
(41,402 posts)local 1470.
unweird
(3,283 posts)but retiring end of month
Lovie777
(22,279 posts)Prairie_Seagull
(4,623 posts)Couple cousins and a few nephews.
All doing better in life than their non-affiliated cohort.
Diamond_Dog
(40,095 posts)As of right now, two are retired and two are current.
Blaukraut
(5,989 posts)UFCW local 1445 and AFGE, respectively. I work at a unionized Macy's and hubby works for the DoD.
marble falls
(71,399 posts)... UAW, Teamsters (during the bad mafia years) and the AFL/CIO (the best union, I felt they had our backs).
I joined the Wobblies because I wanted a Union card and AFL/CIO doesn't offer membership to the retired.
Response to marble falls (Reply #7)
Prairie_Seagull This message was self-deleted by its author.
Srkdqltr
(9,519 posts)Son Is currently a Boilermaker. Brother is retired union electrician.
WiVoter
(1,573 posts)oasis
(53,434 posts)haele
(15,195 posts)It was a bit of a rollercoaster for them until Dad got tenure, which was a retirement saver in terms of the additional benefits they were able to access while in their 50's -and after me and my brother were out of the house.
Mom had to become an ex-union member when she became a Graduate Advisor and Assistant to the Dean, but she had a rather nice pension of her own on the books through the union from the period before they transferred to 401ks.
Haele
Beachnutt
(8,873 posts)Last edited Wed Apr 10, 2024, 09:18 AM - Edit history (1)
Local 745
Local 568
Local 327
Local 89
and back to Local 745.
My daughter is going through a preapprenticeship program in Michigan Local 324 International Union of Operating Engineers.

Daddy Proud of that girl...
Johnny2X2X
(23,827 posts)I was a Teamster for a while when working at UPS.
Unions are why we have a middle class and they're the best way to returning the middle class to the strength it used to have.
Elessar Zappa
(16,385 posts)But theres a lot more room for growth still.
Johnny2X2X
(23,827 posts)He's the most pro worker president we've had since Jimmy Carter.
Elessar Zappa
(16,385 posts)cloudbase
(6,202 posts)Dad: IBEW
AKwannabe
(6,886 posts)Passed in 2012 tho
Hotler
(13,746 posts)Prairie_Seagull
(4,623 posts)Never forget. Never, never, never forget.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_violence_in_the_United_States
Bmoboy
(614 posts)Teamsters (ice cream truck)
1199 (OR Tech)
MSEA (RN for state job)
Father was president of offset printer's local.
Unofficial wobblie.
Alliepoo
(2,795 posts)Im a proud member of the Communications Workers of America CWA Local 4320, Cbus Ohio, retired but still active. Mr Poo was a proud member of CWA Local 4310, retired.
we can do it
(13,014 posts)shrike3
(5,370 posts)Father was too, when he was very young.
Drum
(10,601 posts)Im retired from the performing arts, so former AGMA and IATSE.
myohmy2
(3,717 posts)...long retired and proud Union member...
...UAW (1307)
...Boilermakers (354)
...if it wasn't for Unions I wouldn't have most of what I have today...
...Unions gave me a strong say in my economic and political life...without a good Union Contract I would have had very little to count on and a very sketchy future...
...God Bless America and Unions...
IronLionZion
(51,006 posts)In some cases, it was a life saver for them during COVID.
but unfortunately my field, IT contracting, is non-union in the US. There are IT worker unions in other countries. And federal employees in the US have unions including IT workers.
Martysbestcatch
(40 posts)Turbineguy
(39,913 posts)MEBA and AFT
Demsrule86
(71,519 posts)I have seen an upswing in union voting Democratic. Biden's chip bill kept two Ford plants open in Ohio, Parma GM is safe for now. And there has been a great deal of jobs in the parts sector...when I first moved to Cleveland...you were lucky to get $10.00 per hour this was in 2018. Jobs in steel and the big 3 auto jobs paid more...now people with no experience can walk into most factories with no experience (the number of factories have increased) and get $20.00 per hour to start with benefits and overtime usually...time and a half and double time on Sundays.
TheJillMill
(73 posts)I am so proud my dad made such a good living for us as a union electrician on Long Island. I'm a 30-year adjunct professor at a SUNY community college in the Finger Lakes Region of New York (the union gave us the official title!) whose part time instructors unionized maybe 7 or 8 years ago. What a difference! Seniority, titles, NYSUT benefits. I'm so grateful, I'm still teaching three classes at 72 and plan to keep going happily. One of my former students, Courtney, who cuts my hair and has done a lot of inside painting work in my house is applying to join the Pipefitters Union. She is so excited and I'm so proud of her. The union is crying for more women and she's the best.
mikebl
(111 posts)Myself Retired
Son 30 yr member
Elessar Zappa
(16,385 posts)I was a member of a CNA union (AFL-CIO maybe?).
timvrip
(50 posts)The Guild is part of Communications Workers of America. Was local president for two years and VP before that.
I loved the bargaining sessions. It was a good time. Ten years ago.
Forgot, my daughter is in the national teachers union. I think its the NEA, National Education Association. Shes a chip off the old block.
TBF
(35,992 posts)Dad was AIW I believe, back in the 1970s - but probably as early as late 60s. I vividly remember a strike and painting signs while I was in elementary school, which would've been early 1970s.
Mom worked for a company that made food at a couple of different times in her life. I know she was part of a "quality circle" that negotiated company/worker demands and tried to iron out compromises. I know there was a union in the plant but I don't remember the details.
As far as I know both factories were bought & sold many times in the past 40 years, not sure if either is presently running. This is in the midwest and I don't visit often. What I do know is that unions were not perfect, but they were all the workers had at that time. My dad was proud of his union membership (in that area AIW was eventually folded into one of the big Paper unions).
Bo Zarts
(26,260 posts)Retired, but still spreading the word.
James48
(5,129 posts)20 year plus member of Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), AFL-CIO.
Retired FAA employee.
slightlv
(7,583 posts)After he got back from ww2. Electrician... and very proud of it the while time.
While working at DoD, I was, too. Retired now.
Also remember my grandfather on moms side was a life long member... I remember him talking about the Union, but can't remember which.
I guess you could say we're a generations strong Unions supporter... tho we're now either retired or dead. Time marches on...
CanonRay
(16,030 posts)Grandmother was a founder of ILGW in Milwaukee.
WmChris
(670 posts)I'm a retired IBEW A member and my son is a working A member of the IBEW.
IbogaProject
(5,698 posts)My Great Grandfather was a telegrapher and union organizer, Grandfather was union and a accounting executive for the Nickel Plate railroad corp, and my Mom was a union teacher and later school librarian. Bonus my disabled sister is under unionized care. I and some other guardians sued Governor Christie over an attempted GOP land grab to shutter one of the origional developmentaly disabled care facilities.
Delmette2.0
(4,480 posts)My Dad and brother were union, both deceased.
We still support unions and so do our children.
moniss
(8,836 posts)a proud Teamster. My deceased Mom was a member of the Garment Workers and before that a member of IBEW.
Demnation
(434 posts)Hangdog Slim
(81 posts)Card carrying member of the IWW
Tikki
(15,067 posts)Tikki
Demsrule86
(71,519 posts)I am a member of the teachers union, and my son is UAW. He is voting a straight Democratic ticket. My daughter-in-law is also voting straight for a straight Democratic ticket. My daughter-in-law's parent are pro-life to a point but they don't like what is happening with medical care, birth control pills, and IUDs so they are all voting Democratic. They feel the GOP has gone too far. The Dad is a member of the Teacher's union. We all live in Ohio
mitch96
(15,719 posts)I was a member and organizer in 1199 health care workers union back in the day...
Lots of nasty shit went on with medical unions in the '70s..
Real cloak and dagger spy stuff and I'll leave it at that...
m
k55f5r
(510 posts)just not one of them.
AWPPW- Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers.
LCL 959 Teamsters
LCL 737 Laborers
LCL 2416 Piledrivers and Bridgemen
LCL 516 Steel Shopmens Regional Union
LCLs 701,3,12 Operating Engineers
I even have got a retirement from iuoe. Working construction from 1975 on, I changed jobs as work ebbed and flowed.
mercuryblues
(16,243 posts)Grumpy Old Guy
(4,254 posts)30 years a shop steward at a major TV network. Fired from my first TV job for helping to organize a union. My kid is a union artist and my wife a union teacher.
Tree Lady
(13,107 posts)Drove Bart train in SF for 30 years. We get pension from Pers.
1WorldHope
(1,916 posts)I grew up comfortable because he had a good job with a living wage.
bsiebs
(936 posts)peacebuzzard
(5,839 posts)BlueTsunami2018
(4,915 posts)Construction electrician.
AllyCat
(18,656 posts)UPS.
KS Toronado
(23,392 posts)
Mad_Dem_X
(10,153 posts)TexLaProgressive
(12,703 posts)I still consider myself a member.
Oppaloopa
(942 posts)blurplenurple
(13 posts)Unionized my team at my last job and am a shop steward at my current job.
CelticCrow
(76 posts)My father was in the CWA. He held all the various offices in the local chapter, president, secretary and treasurer over the course of years and spent the latter half of his career working directly for the union. He even participated in bargaining at the national level before. My mother happened to be a low level manager in the same company which made strike time rather awkward in my household with my father running the picket lines while my mother was working around the clock to try and keep things running.
gopiscrap
(24,593 posts)she is in the Tacoma Area of Classroom Teacher (TACT) the Washington Education Association and National Educational Association. and boy has the union made a difference. She taught for 15 years in the Roman Catholic school system and boy do they fuck you over. After 15 years her retirement was 22,000 no monthly check, plus they ca pretty much fire you at will. She once had a Catholic school principal tell her she had no right to be pregnant and give birth in the middle of a school year. Now she works for the Public Schools, (with a union) and her retirement as it stands is 280,000plus a monthly check for 2600 and 45 days pay that she has racked up for not taking her full sick leave
jcgoldie
(12,046 posts)My wife is also. Both of my brothers are skilled union trades workers, construction and ironworkers unions.
wolfie001
(7,363 posts)Now comes the hard part of staying relatively fit.
Enoki33
(1,605 posts)Old Crank
(6,771 posts)In CA for 15 years.
Lulu KC
(8,742 posts)hay rick
(9,465 posts)Retired letter carrier, NALC. Many years as an officer or steward.
angrychair
(11,905 posts)Both me and my kid that works at NIH in a fellowship program. He helped with the organizing and vote passed to organize despite significant pushback from NIH.
I'm a shop steward too.
Union strong!
kimbutgar
(26,993 posts)joanbarnes
(2,100 posts)Hubby CWA shop steward, retired, me, bro, nephew and Dad IAM, retired, sis and nieces, nephew teachers, another sis is opera singer, not sure which but know she's union, almost lost benefits during pandemic if not for union fight.
maccafan
(159 posts)I am a retired teacher and proud Union Strong NEA member.
Maru Kitteh
(31,395 posts)Borchkins
(731 posts)But Mom was AFSCME and Dad was UFCW
I'm a lifetime member of Wisconsin Union--beer and ice cream!
Jrsygrl96
(263 posts)hubby and me! He 43 years with Local 3 IBEW, New York City. Also plays bagpipes with their band. 😘
I was an NJEA (teachers union) member.
woodsprite
(12,563 posts)Celerity
(54,005 posts)
https://www.unionen.se/in-english/this-is-unionen
mahina
(20,525 posts)xmas74
(30,030 posts)Out of Des Moines, AFSCME.
SARose
(1,831 posts)UFCW Imperial Sugar Co - great uncle. Was paid in company script and lived in company house until early 1950s. Bought house and began receiving paycheck thanks to Union.
AFLCIO Texaco/ExxonMobil. Father-in-law, 2 brother-in-laws, nephew and great nephew.
USW brother-in-law.
mike_c
(36,946 posts)Me, that is.
Dale in Laurel MD
(797 posts)nt
Omaha Steve
(108,692 posts)I was AFSCME
My SON-I-L is AFSCME
Marta was CWA
My sister was CWA.
My niece's husband is IBEW.
a kennedy
(35,564 posts)TomSlick
(12,937 posts)My father was a salaried employee and the college aged sons of employees were hired during the summer.
Being a company man, my father had little use for the union. Naturally, I joined the union (United Steel Workers) and happily paid my dues.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)My family is 100% union
ornotna
(11,435 posts)But I was born and raised in a union house. My Father was a member of The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America till the day he died.
cpamomfromtexas
(1,478 posts)jdadd
(1,320 posts)H2O Man
(78,861 posts)Extended family of union members, activists, and leaders over many generations.
Jacson6
(1,836 posts)He had a nice retirement and health insurance during his lifetime.
niyad
(130,503 posts)LudwigPastorius
(14,384 posts)Continuous member for 40 years.

AwakeAtLast
(14,315 posts)My 26th year!
