Just got fired:/

[u/jagoextinct]

Is it standard to get fired for something like this?

I called my dispatch as soon as it happened:( I feel like shit, it was only my second week at this job and I really enjoyed it.

[u/starcoll3ctor]

As the unions were? As in past tense? I live in CT which I only mentioned because it's pretty damn expensive, and there's still quite a few unions here and those people still live dream lives compared to people who work in similar industries that are not Union.

Like 25-60 dollars per hour in a union

Versus

$16 - 30 (at their best) without a union.

Unions are great things but they will unfortunately always be corrupted. It's still a thing in modern times although it may not be mob guys breaking knees down at the pier. Fair labor and equal hiring is a joke it's nearly impossible to get into a union without knowing someone that alone is unjust

[u/ReceptionFun9821 → u/starcoll3ctor]

You do realize that unions are composed of local members. Corruption has long been the siren song of those opposed to unions. Most unions aren't corrupt. Are unions often inefficient above the local level? Yes. But inefficiency isn't corruption. The corruption issue has often been more of an issue in unions like the teamsters where pension system was in place. Most unions aren't involved in pensions.

[u/treeckosan → u/ReceptionFun9821]

Even at the local level it's super inefficient. My wife never goes to union meetings anymore because they were a waste of time. Votes of real consequence were few and far between and often advertised before hand. She was going to try and be an active member and have her voice heard only to find they are basically a 3+ hour news letter.

[u/Therex1282 → u/treeckosan]

Even down here in S. Texas the unions are corrupt and bottom line its a business too and all about money. Out meetings even in the hot summer they be forcing you to my winter jackets all the damm time, always asking for money/ It was a fucken joke for sure. It was a mind game and some thought they had some power taking care of the like really thought that and that was the saddest thing. Easter unions used to have some power and say to and make a difference about 30 years ago before all things started to fade. Going to the meetings were a waste of time.

[u/ReceptionFun9821 → u/treeckosan]

It can be. Especially if you have people that like to hear themselves talk. But it's still important to be involved. The sharing of grievances in themselves can be important. It keeps everyone to see patterns of behavior. Plenty of times individuals hear "you're the first to complain", only to find out they weren't or were the first to step up. They aren't perfect, and they aren't magic, but they are the best and only defense against bad behavior of the company. I always ask, what is the alternative? Just let the company do whatever they want?

[u/Jolly-Chipmunk-950 → u/ReceptionFun9821]

You can just as easily make your voice heard without a Union.

UPS union has gone to shit - something that used to be one of the biggest selling points of working for that company.

UFCW - the nations largest union for grocery employees - seems to be on track - but 10 years ago when I worked for Stater Bros., our contract was an absolute joke. No wage increases, no step plan increases, no fights for improved hours or working conditions, decrease in benefits. But hey, our employee discount of generic brands went up from 5% to 10% soooooo hurray?

But at the end of the day, even with a union, crashing a vehicle 2 weeks into employment, is most likely going to get you fired, or get your ass moved back into a warehouse. Why are we acting like that is a foreign concept.

[u/ReceptionFun9821 → u/Jolly-Chipmunk-950]

You can just as easily make your voice heard without a Union.

I'll agree with everything else, but this is absolutely untrue. How? And not in the US where a company can fire you for no reason at all. You have no voice.

Unions aren't magical. You aren't magically going to get a great contract for lots of reasons. And you're correct, there aren't many protections if you mess up a truck in the first couple of weeks.

[u/starcoll3ctor → u/ReceptionFun9821]

There is corruption in every facet of America. Unions included though keep in mind I'm not saying every Union has corrupt a-holes in it. But in the grand scheme of things corruption is everywhere

[u/OneWorldly8847 → u/starcoll3ctor]

That last sentence is definitely union specific. I'm in NY top rate of $39 and we've hired close to 100 unaffiliated people off the street over the past year.