[BrandoElFollito]

I am not sure how unions work in the US.

In Europe, generally speaking, you have unions that are formed within the company, usually as a representative of a national one (but you can also have local ones). They get elected to represent the employees and whatever they bargain is for all employees. Maybe 1% of employees are actually part of a union.

In the US it seems that you have to be a member of a union to get what they bargain? And they companies can block the creation of a union?

[ProllyInfamous]

My IBEW (electricians' union) experience was regional, tied to where I lived; private companies can then choose whether to be a union shop, or not.

Certain contracts do or do not require using a union shop, but Bacon Act makes it so that tradesmen don't necessarily have to be IBEW members to receive the same wages, but most choose Union.

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My thought proposition, in conversation, is usually something along the lines of: why would companies spend so much money campaigning against union organizers if it didn't have a multi-billion dollar return (i.e. more).

[BrandoElFollito]

Thank you for the information. Over here this is completely regulated and companies do not have any choice in which unions are formed and they cannot make any attemptes to prevent unions. They also have to indirectly subidiase them :)

Everyday employees usually learn about unions though leflets they provide from tim to time, with a mot more information around elections for the company representative body.

One an agreement is in place with the company (which must be above whatthe law requires) then it is binding for everyone, unionized or not.

[ProllyInfamous]

To be clear: US employees may attempt to organize at any company, but most "union shops" have chosen to use IBEW labor, as it gives them access to larger commercial/govt/industrial projects (depending upon region/jurisdiction).

Non-union shops will typically spend significant funds dissuading "organizing" among the employees, but there are many rules which technically prevent certain actions.

It is still commonly misunderstood that US employees cannot legally discuss their wage/compensation, when there is Federal Law which specifically allows discussion$.