How To Find Union Jobs And How To Become Part Of A Union

1. Labor Unions
A union hall is the appropriate place to apply for union work. There may be a message board advertising open positions or contact names to call and discuss the levels of expertise required. There may be social events and other clues as to how to make contact with the segment of the working population that controls your industry work in that area.

2. Informal Networking
Certain union stewards resist the idea of informal networking. It's a good idea to get a heads up from someone who has been in the union for a certain period of time and can speak for the way they do things. Be sure to respect the union steward's wishes.

3. Direct Presentation
Human Resources departments will be trained to refer non-union employees to union representatives where there is a collective bargaining agreement in place. Watch for bulletins online or in the workplace hiring information area about exempted jobs or positions. Some half-time or apprentice positions can lead to union membership or company exemption with union approval.

It's important to know who ahead of you may have seniority for these positions. Even where collective bargaining agreements do not explicitly cover the non-union exempt positions, informal union practices may prevent work performance or work success if the proper channels are not followed.

4. Brokered Subcontracting/Piecework
Piece work is usually done under another title. If your are journeyman carpenter, it may be as a "general laborer' or some other signatory. Do NOT work for a union boycotted employer without making sure the possibility of union membership has been rendered finally unavailable. This work may only consist of certain but not all elements of your regular job position, ( i.e. quality control, assembly line maintenance, troubleshooting, inspection, drafting, but not all managerial or supervisory duties).

Piecework or "guilding" is considered seasonal work. This is considered less desirable as the title indicates less skilled contributions to the work product. But it may be the only way for union representatives within a company to observe your work quality and interaction with the workplace culture.

5. Non-Union Trade Work
Non Union trade work may be acceptable in states or areas where a union does not have a collective bargaining agreement in place in your area of expertise or with the employer that wishes to hire you. This may or may not lead to extension of the project or your affiliation with a given union. Unions are always looking to add new members at new companies for job security, safety, and retirement benefits. Non-Union trade work can lead to union membership if your position at that firm leads to a new collective bargaining agreement with that company. Unions may also choose not to support positions they feel fall outside their collective bargaining agreement.

6. Online Union Job Boards
Unions may look outside their employee roster when a subset of special skills are required for work on a certain job. The duration of the skills may not draw any other union members enough to change their work location, move their family, leave their current union or employer, or commute. Unions may specifically want to draw non-union talent so as to not staff a company with qualified personnel who do not wish to become part of the union. In this way a union with a collective bargaining agreement draws a new member if the employee wishes to retain employment after the initial term of employment ends.

7. Contracting
Contracting may be work you find and negotiate for yourself but may wish to enter into under the auspices of union membership. The union negotiating for you allows you to employ their legal resources on your behalf in case of medical emergency accident, or other problems.

8. Trade Shows
Union organizations often host member booths or entire trade shows showcasing their work products or job locations. This is a good time to introduce yourself to hopeful stewards and union members who may be asked to recommend someone for upcoming work.

9. Boycotting
Take care before seeking union work to execute lifestyle changes against boycotted companies. These might include current boycotts against the Blue Man Group, certain hotels, or foreign carmakers. Informal vetting for union membership may detect consumer participation in companies your intended union have endorsed boycotting.

10. Education Centers
Contact training or teaching facilities for union information. Musicians, nurses, teachers, all types of workers have representation with unions and must advertise open union positions. Bypassing entry level requirements may be possible.