I have to say, I'm kind of creeped out by union dues. It just feels less about workers helping themselves and more like some workers creating a new power structure and job roles that they can enjoy.
So i like unions (and have been a member of one), generally, in the same way i like governments. However they need clarity, visibility, and structures to answer to its members. A god-king union is no better than a god-king government.
Imo, they're work. They require care to exist properly, just like governments. But when done right, they're the only source of citizen power in the workforce. Especially in the modern day of mega corporations.
this comment is similar to saying:
i'm kinda creeped out by car insurance payments. it just feels less about protecting other drivers and more about enriching the insurance companies.
you are right that it does create a new power structure and job roles, that's the point of it! the money you pay is also part of the strike pay you'd get back.
Yeah, me too! And health and homeowners insurance while we're at it. All systems seemingly meant to exploit statistics for the betterment of us all...and yet the 20 most expensive homes in my city growing up were owned by insurance execs... What an oddity!
Legal support - your boss has done something you disagree with
Strike fund - in the worse case the union uses its savings to support the members for a strike
Full time reps - this is perhaps the one most open to abuse, but in my experience union reps fight for the workers - otherwise they get sacked, they are elected positions.
Pay for legal advice - essential when fighting the big boys
And what you would hope is by paying union dues that your pay rise more than covers the union due.
The fact that amazon is fighting against it so hard, you can only assume its good for workers pay.
When you have one organized power structure that is using its power to exploit people, the only real way to combat it is with another organized power structure.
Bezoes is worth $196 billion. You're not going to be able to effectively push back against that with bake sales.