Originally Posted by
Packrat
For one thing, non-members don't pay dues. They pay a contract agency fee which is generally slightly less than the dues members pay.
Why? Because, as you pointed out, they derive all the pay and benefits from the Union negotiated contract. Therefore, they must share the expense of maintaining said contract.
Suppose Company A offered employment to Pilot P at one of two payrates. He could work as a non-union pilot for X dollars, or he could join the union and earn (1.1 * X) dollars and pay 1.9% dues on X + 10% dollars. Anybody with a basic calculator can do the math and see Pilot P would come out ahead by paying the dues on 110% of the first offer.
What most people seem to miss is that without collective bargaining, we'd ALL be working for 10% or more less than current wages. They fail to appreciate the gains that have been clawed out over years of blood, sweat, and tears.
They say ignorance is bliss, and freeloaders must be floating in it.
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