The contract dictates what the wages will be and most of those contracts were finalized a few years ago. So we have to wait until a new contract is negotiated before wages are updated. It's a double-edged sword because while it guarantees us a certain wage and a certain wage progression, if something happens between contract negotiations, we're kind of stuck until they come up with a new contract.

Typically, contract year is when the companies start to publicly decry poverty despite years of record profits. So when it's time to negotiate that contract, everyone believes the company is in a tight spot and can't afford to pay people more, again, despite years of record profits. So when the union goes out on strike for better pay and benefits, they lose in the court of public opinion and there's not much support for the striking workers.

It's a really infuriating thing about America. When their neighbors and family and peers are on strike for a means to a better life, they get called spoiled and entitled. But, simultaneously, the companies are lauded and celebrated and we wear clothing with their logos plastered all over them. The American public largely loves and supports these massive corporations over their friends and family and neighbors that are just trying to get ahead in life.

Rant over. Sorry.

>You can't pay a union member more to stay competitive?

Because you have a contract that guides everything. The contract is collectively bargained between employer and union. If your contract sucks then you're screwed. Find better union leadership, find a new union or find a new job.

The pay is set by our contract. It would be a breach of contract to pay someone more money than the contract says they are entitled to.

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