UK Vs USA unions.

[BigClive]

How are your unions holding up these days? Here in the UK we have a very different type of union system. Traditionally a worker could choose to join a union and they would only get involved if there was a dispute. The UK unions don't portion work out like the USA unions seem to do. Here it's up to you to get work yourself, and that is often by word of mouth.

In the past the main electrical union was the EETPU (Electrical, Electronics, Telecommunication and Plumbing union). It was used by most electrical trades including linework, general electrical work and specialist trades like elevator mechanics.

The unions here have gradually merged into a small number of super-unions that seem to be so detached from reality that I often wonder if they are run by the very people they were supposed to protect against.

I get the impression that some branches of the IBEW (and other unions) are run like protection rackets and wonder if they tarnish the reputation of unions as a whole. Do you think the future of unions is secure or are politics and "right to work (for minimum wage)" undermining conditions,security and safety.