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I have seen unions workers intentionally violate union rules only because they want to help out fellow employeess
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Union rules is a misnomer. It sounds like unions make the rules when in fact the rules are spelled out in the contract which the union and company come up with jointly.
Of primary importance to a union is the safety and welfare of there members. That's why things like electricity, chemicals, dangerous equipment, etc, should only be handled by people that are trained to handle it safely. You don't want someone that doesn't have a clue, operating a crane over your head.
"Hey, something spilled, I'll wipe it up. says the helpful employee. What if it's acid? What if it's flammable? What if it's a live 440 volt line laying in the spill?
Way too many people die at work in this country. In non-union shops everyone is at risk when the foreman, under pressure to produce, take shortcuts. No safety switches, no belt guards, no warning signs, no fire bottles.
One thing that will always underlie any agreement is "Managements right to manage". They run the show and it's the unions only job to make sure the management doesn't violate the contract. If something isn't covered by the contract the union can request the company sit down and work out an arrangement to cover the situation. But, the union can't force anything unless the company violates the contract or the law.