Career change input requested - Union to management?

[BlueCollar]

OK....so I've been fortunate enough to have a job with the same company for 23 years, all of which have been as a Union employee. During that time I have advanced to the maximum pay rate and highest classification. (Aircraft Quality Assurance Inspector)

I've served the Union as a Local Union Officer, and other Union affiliated positions.

I'm eligible to retire now with 23 years of service and I'm over 50 years old.

There is a mangement position opening up in Quality Assurance/Quality Control and I have been informed that should I apply for it....my application would be given serious consideration.

Any immediate thoughts? What should I be considering?

As usual, DU'ers can provide insight that I haven't considered already so I'm looking for input.

Thanks all..

[Betty88]

1. Check the health care benefits

Where I work union/management bennies are very different. The move to management can end up costing you money.
I would look at stuff like that.

[BlueCollar]

3. We have a contract article that allows us

to move back into the Union without loss/penalty if it's within six months...
Retirement bennies are better for mgmt and that's a major consideration.


Thanks for the input.

M

[hedgehog]

2. I saw a couple union guys move to management, lose their

seniority and then be the first to be laid off when the company cut back. Also, once you're in management, you can be reassigned at whim. You know your company best. How do they treat mid level management?

Another thought - as a union member, you have protection if you raise a red flag about a quality issue. As a member of management, you may find yourself on your own if you see something everyone else chooses to ignore.

[BlueCollar]

4. Mid-level is treated like shit....that's where I'd be going

As to Quality...again, as a represented employee...I'm covered....OTOH...in the airline "bidness" thw whole thing gets pretty stcky. I've been in it long enough I doubt they'd challenge me on the issue of quality and compliance...


Thanks for the input.

[rug]

5. Would you cross the line if there's a strike?

[BlueCollar]

7. Depending on whwther or not the strike took place in the first six months....

No....during the first six months I'd technically still be eligible to rejoin the Union/never left it so I would not cross it.


After six months I'd lose all Union seniority/rights so I'd have to cross...I work in an at-will State..

[NJmaverick]

6. Consider the financial health of the company

If your company is in poor health stick to the union and your seniority. If they are sound, then it's up to you (consider the job and pay etc).

[BlueCollar]

10. It's an airline

Financial health sucks....

:-)

Thanks for the input

[NJmaverick]

13. Well then I will tell you some of the other bad things

if you leave the union. First companies tend to have the non-uninon people make up for layoffs by having them work harder and longer. In addition they will then turn around and reward those same people by not giving them raises, cutting their benefits and some times even cutting people's salaries.

[Ikonoklast]

8. Would you be able to collect your pension now,

or do you have an age/years of service qualifying number?

How much of a pay increase to move to management over your current position?


If I could collect a pension and move up the ladder on pay, I just might do such a thing although middle management gets it from both labor and upper management.


Tough call...I suppose the trade-off in absolute terms is more money vs. job security.

[BlueCollar]

11. Can't colect pension for three more years

Pay increase would be approximately 15%


Could retire and rehire...

Job security vs. security...Good point since Bankruptcy makes it all a moot point...

[livetohike]

9. Would you be directly supervising people that you worked side

by side with, or another group?

I was a manager in a unionized factory (three different unions)and saw that some of those who were promoted to supervision had an easy time, others had a rough time. I think it depends on your personality. You have to be fair and consistent in your treatment of others. If you did this as a union officer, then you will have no trouble moving into supervision and will be respected.

Good luck :hi:. I think you should do it.

[BlueCollar]

12. No direct supervision over those I worked with

Although a chief negotiating point would be that Their direct involvement would be required...My requirement.

[hedgehog]

14. I worked for the worst people in the world, so I've seen more

than my share of dirty tricks.

What are the odds that your company is downsizing in a year or two but needs a body in place now? Maybe it costs too much to find and hire a new person to lay them off next year, but if they can talk you into stepping up it doesn't cost a dime.

[stray cat]

15. less money fewer benefits longer hours and without overtime.