Myth vs Reality
MYTH: Unions are "special interest" organizations.
REALITY: Unions actually use political power in ways to help the entire
country. We fight for social security, higher minimum wage laws, strong
public education, fair trade, and worker protection laws.
MYTH: If I join the union, I will sit on the bench.
REALITY: The majority of all union workers are employed by the same company
throughout the year. Among those who worked more than 1,800 hours during the
year, it was even more likely that they worked for a single employer.
MYTH: Unions are run by bosses.
REALITY: Unions are run by members to a greater extent than almost any other
American institution. The University of Michigan Survey Research Center found
that within a two-year period, about three-quarters of membership went to at
least one union meeting and about the same percent voted in a union election.
MYTH: Unions are generally corrupt.
REALITY: The overwhelming majority of union leaders are honest. A former U.S.
Attorney General found serious problems in less than one-half of one percent
of all local unions. Business is ten times more likely to be corrupt. |