Striking out on your own and operating as a contractor is all about independence, so it can seem counterintuitive to give some of that independence up by joining a union. As a contractor, you have the ability to take the jobs that you want and negotiate your own pay, but there are significant downsides as well. Each contract brings with it new risks, and companies are rarely shy about taking advantage of their contractors when the opportunity presents itself. There are risks even for highly skilled, well-paid tradesmen such as welders. Unions can significantly lessen these risks while also offering a variety of unique benefits.
The Number One Benefit: Protection
If something goes wrong on a job site, your rights as a contractor may be seriously tested. By joining a union, you'll have a powerful labor organization at your back. This will protect you from potential liability and help you to defend yourself against large companies that may have almost limitless resources to find light legal battles. Most welders' unions will provide arbitrators or counselors who can help you to resolve disputes with employers. Simply having someone on your side is often enough to convince employers to stand down from frivolous grievances.
Better Training and Higher Pay to Go with It
Unions also provide significant amounts of training to their members. This is a requirement since unions rely on their members being better trained, more experienced, and ultimately more capable than non-unionized workers in order to command higher rates of pay. Regular training will mean that you'll constantly be learning new skills and techniques that will allow you to work on a wider range of better paying projects. In addition to training, most unions provide certifications which can use going forward in your career as proof of the advanced skills that you have developed.
Access to Job Benefits
You'd typically be on the hook for the full cost of your retirement and healthcare, but joining a union can be a good way to get access to these without having to pay their full cost. Your benefits will also stick with you throughout your career for as long as you are a member of the union, providing a greater amount of stability and reliability than what you would typically receive. Since welding can be dangerous, especially if you work high up or in other dangerous environments, these added benefits can provide a great deal of security for you and your family.
Although joining a union means giving up a small measure of your independence and committing some of your pay to fees, the benefits are wide ranging and will stay with you through your entire career. If you haven't considered union work in the past, now is the perfect time to look into the many advantages that it can bring.
For more information, contact places such as the UA Local 100.