How to Get a Union Job

When President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Only a fool would try to deprive working men and working women of their right to join the union of their choice,” he was trumpeting a message to protect the laborers of the United States—and ensure they have an effective voice in the workplace for years to come, as people today continue to seek out how to get a union job within various trades and industries in both the public and private sectors.

That quote is from Eisenhower’s speech at an American Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) convention in 1952. But now is just as good of a time to figure out how to get a union job. From fighting for higher minimum wages, the right to strike, and safer conditions to upgrading benefits packages and establishing overtime rules, unions are an important lifeline for many of the working people of this nation.

What Is a Union Job?

So what exactly is a labor union (which can also be called a trade union)? In short, it’s an organized group of workers who join forces to extend to their employer a unified voice about their pay, benefits, and working conditions. The overarching—and unremitting—goal of any union is to continually push for improvements on behalf of laborers. Here are some key facts about unions in the U.S. from the Economic Policy Institute (a nonprofit/nonpartisan think-tank):

• Unions don’t discriminate and represent people of all races, religious backgrounds, genders, political ideologies, and levels of education.
• Unions exist for an array of trades, industries, and sectors, but the majority of unionized workers are in education, healthcare, and the trades.
• Union workers band together to raise wages and decrease pay-gaps for women and minorities, while also pushing for better benefits, workplace safety, and retirement security and helping to shape labor-related policy.

Common Occupations With Unions

Although any collective of workers can form a union, unions are most common among the following professions:

• government jobs
• education jobs
• protective services jobs
• healthcare jobs
• transportation jobs
• manufacturing jobs
• construction jobs

What Are the Benefits of Joining a Union?

Are there both pros and cons to joining a union? All things considered, there are likely more pros when you’re covered by a union contract, including:

• Job Protection: You will have a certain number of protections as part of your collective bargaining agreement, including job protection. As you may know, many (if not most) non-union workers are employed at-will by their companies. That means employers can terminate your employment for any reason. But if you’re protected by a union, there has to be a just cause that will likely need to go through an arbitration process or grievance procedure. Some unions even subsidize legal fees and will also help with other matters, such as disputes with management or other workers.
• Higher Pay: According to a report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): “Among full-time wage and salary workers, union members had median usual weekly earnings of $1,169 […], while those who were not union members had median weekly earnings of $975.” Unions also typically negotiate for regular raises.
• Better Benefits: Unions negotiate for less-expensive healthcare plans, more paid time off, more robust retirement plans, and disability or work-related injury assistance.
• Advocacy: You may be able to help influence economic policy and political causes that bolster the working class.

At the same, you should consider these possible cons:

• Seniority is a big factor for advancement within a unionized workplace environment. That may seem obvious, but it can disadvantage younger or newer employees who are high-performing and have more education or certifications.
• Workplaces that operate as “closed shops” with companies require that you join a certain union as a precondition to being hired. Some even have dues or fees that may cancel out the fact that you’re getting a higher wage than non-union workers. On the other hand, “open shops” don’t require union membership.
• Some may view unions as restrictive or as hampering individuality. In the end, your voice is indeed part of a collective.

How to Get a Union Job

How to get a union job ultimately depends on the type of trade and union you’re aiming to join. Keep in mind that the opportunity to join a union can be competitive, so it’s important for you to research the organization, assess the requirements, and network with current members.

1. Research Trade Schools and Apprenticeship Programs

If you’re new to the workforce or if you want a career change and specialize in a skill, you may want to look into trade schools or apprenticeship programs, which are available for trades ranging from electrical work and plumbing to construction and carpentry.

Start your search for apprenticeship programs at Monster by browsing our apprenticeship job listings.

2. Seek Out Union-Affiliated Employers

The first way to find a union job is to opt for a government agency or a private company that is already affiliated with a union. One major example is UPS, which has workers represented by several different unions. Many trade jobs are more likely to have unions. Ask around—talk to your electrician, family friends, and people you meet at community events about how to get a union job at a local workplace. If there’s a company you like, go to their website, and see if they have any union-related information.

3. Join a Union at Your Current Job

Maybe you’re currently employed at a company or government agency that already works with a union, and you’re curious about how to join? Here’s how to get a union job in that case:

• Contact your human resources department and see if they can help.
• Contact the union’s national office to retrieve a number or email for their local union rep.
• Study the union itself to figure what the dues are and the associated benefits of joining so that you know what to expect.
• Request the paperwork and fill out everything, including whatever’s needed to have your dues deducted from your paycheck.

4. Find a Local Industry Union

Alternatively, you may be working independently within a certain trade for a union contractor or on a project-by-project basis. So if you’re a truck driver, you may want to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), or if you’re a TV/film writer, you may want to join the Writers Guild of America West or WGA East, and so on.

You can check out the profiles for both national and local unions provided by the Center for Union Facts (CUF) to find unions for your industry or location. Then, follow these steps:

1. Gather all the info you need about eligibility. Can you meet all the requirements? Or do you need to garner more experience? Might you need to do an apprenticeship beforehand?
2. If you’re eligible, try meeting your rep in-person and ask a lot of questions: What are the benefits of joining a union like this one? Will you be able to work on projects that you may otherwise not have access to as a non-union worker? What does the union have in the pipeline?
3. Find out if the union is hosting any local events you can attend and get a feel for the union’s makeup and structure. Network with other members and ingratiate yourself—i.e., turn on the charm—if you feel like this union is the best fit for your needs. Also, inquire about the process—i.e., how to get a union job once you’re in.
4. If you’re accepted, finalize the membership paperwork and you’ll be good-to-go.

Open-Shop vs. Closed Shop Unions

Keep in mind that employers may have either an open-shop or closed-shop arrangement with unions, so make sure to do your research on the union status of whatever new company or employer you may be applying to. The latter isn’t allowed in any union at a federal-government agency (even within states that do allow them), and the Taft-Hartley Act prevents unions from charging exorbitant initiation fees too.

If you do want to work for a business deemed a closed shop, be aware that you’ll have to join a particular union as a prerequisite for employment (as this workplace will only hire union members)—and you’ll need to remain a member of that union to keep that job.

Find Solidarity Among Your Fellow Workers and Colleagues

Now that you know how to get a union job, take the next step and create a quick-and-free profile on Monster to make use of our stockpile of resources. We’ll help you get a job within your chosen trade or profession so that you can join a corresponding union too. Additionally, we’ll send insight about your industry and custom notifications about openings in your location directly to your phone to save you valuable time.