Being in a union is an important part of employment in the U.S. workplace. Unions help their members get what they want and deserve from their employers, and they signify workers have rights. Without unions, many places of employment could try to get away with a lot of inconsiderate and unfair contract negotiations with their employees.
Did you know there are benefits to being a union member that goes beyond the workplace? We already know unions are great for helping workers at their jobs, but things like auto insurance for union members and members making friends with one another are also great reasons to be a part of the union.
We’ll also talk about some of the important ways unions have helped the U.S advance in social and economic ways, such as with women’s rights and Black rights. Without unions, diversity would be a lot less accepted around the U.S. and the world.
#1 – Unions Offer Auto Insurance Discounts
There are two types of auto insurance that will be cheaper for you if you’re part of the union. Let’s talk about personal auto insurance first. This insurance covers the personal car you drive to work and during your off time. Many unions can get a discount for their members through specific insurance companies.
You still need to make sure you’re driving safely and within the rules. No discount is going to make up for bad driving habits, getting into accidents, or driving under the influence. The union discounts will help people who have higher insurance rights, to begin with, like young drivers under the age of 25.
Commercial auto insurance discounts through unions are the second type of insurance unions can help with. Commercial insurance is for vehicles driven by a company during working hours.
For example, truck drivers who are part of a union can get discounts from insurance companies because their union has taken out a commercial policy for all of the trucks being used. Once again, good driving habits also help you to maintain good insurance prices when driving a commercial truck.
#2 – Unions Foster Community
Becoming part of a union is a very social experience. If all of the members of the union get together to celebrate something, like someone retiring after decades on the job, memories and stories can be shared amongst the group. People from the union all have similar experiences they’ve gone through.
The triumphs and the struggles of working for a company can only be understood by those who do these jobs, and the members of the union have fought together to get these rights for each other. If you’re someone who doesn’t have many friends outside of work, being in the union can help alleviate some of this loneliness.
There’s a lot of bonding that goes on between members. When there’s a labor stoppage or a strike, union members must picket outside of the place of business they work to gain the rights they need. It can get monotonous to be on the picket line each day, and union members can help each other stay entertained by visiting and empathizing with each other’s issues.
In this way, the social aspects of union membership help increase staff motivation. If you go to work knowing everyone has your back, you’ll want to do your best job for everyone at the company.
#3 – Unions Embrace Racial and Gender Diversity
It’s no secret unions have helped oft-discriminated groups have the same rights at work that their white, straight, male counterparts have always received. Women, gay people, trans people, people of color, and others have all benefited from unions. Unions have worked to make sure these groups have sufficient pay, retirement plans, and medical benefits.
The great part about unions working for these workers’ rights is the way it helps society become more accepting of diverse people outside of the workplace. When women and queer people get equal rights at work, it often helps other workers see these groups as they should outside of their jobs: as equals.
The heavy lifting of unions has helped to humanize people who have been discriminated against for centuries, and this trend should continue to occur as the U.S. becomes more socially liberal. If you’re a union member, try to treat everyone equally and you’ll see how the world becomes a better place.
#4 – Unions Help You When You’re Hurt
Unions have worked hard to help their members have rights when they get injured on the job. Without unions, many workplaces might be able to fire their employees. Unions have fought for medical leave and the right for workers to keep their employment while recovering from an injury.
There are also the social and emotional aspects unions contribute to when their members are recovering from something. Union members and leaders often check on their fellow workers when they’re at home, sending them well wishes and maybe visiting for a chat. This motivates members to get back on their feet and recover.
Some people don’t have many friends, as we already talked about above, and having emotional support from your union can make it feel like you have an extended family to connect with. In return, make sure you visit other union members who have gotten hurt once you return to your job. Unions are all about giving back to one another.
#5 – Unions Fight for You to Work from Home
One of the employment benefits people want now more than ever is the right to work from home. Unions have been a big part of getting businesses to be flexible with remote work and making sure these workers have the same rights as those who come into the office every day.
Union members should talk to their representatives about what types of working environments they want to work in. When unions help workers get the privilege of working from home, it allows union members to enjoy things like spending time with their families and seeing their kids during the workday. However, there are cases that working from home doesn’t work for everyone.
We already knew how important unions were for their members when they were on the job, but now we know how much their relevance extends beyond the office. Emotional and social support is a great part of being in a union, and the camaraderie of the union helps it grow and become a place that feels like home.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsurance.org. He wants to help union members learn about some of the benefits they may not have remembered they have as part of their union.
