You clock in every morning, ready to give your all. You brave the elements, risk injury, and keep the job moving no matter what.
It’s not just hard work. It’s essential work, but as a union member, you know you’re not doing this important work alone.
With experienced representatives, negotiated contracts, and powerful legal backing, union workers in New York and New Jersey have significant support behind them.
It’s more than security. It’s a system built to honor your effort and protect your future. Below are some of the advantages you receive as a union worker.
Fair Wages That Reflect Real Work
Union-negotiated contracts mean wages aren’t left to chance or the employer's whim. Instead, they’re the result of strategic, collective bargaining. Accordingly, union workers generally get:
- Guaranteed pay scales. Union contracts lock in structured pay rates based on your experience, not favoritism or guesswork.
- Overtime protection. You’re not expected to work “off the clock” or “for the team.” Overtime is tracked, recorded, and paid.
- Annual raises. Many union agreements include built-in cost-of-living adjustments and performance-based wage increases.
This means you can plan ahead because you know what compensation to expect.
Health Coverage for You and Your Family
Union-negotiated healthcare benefits are often a significant advantage for workers and their families. While specific coverage varies by trade and contract, union members typically have access to group health plans that are designed with working families in mind and include:
- Broad access to care. Many union plans help cover essential medical services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and preventive care.
- Support for families. Union contracts often include options to enroll spouses, children, and dependents under the same plan.
- Expanded services. In many cases, union members also gain access to dental, vision, and mental health services through their plan.
Because these benefits are negotiated on behalf of all members, they tend to reflect the needs of workers. That means more consistent coverage, more predictable costs, and greater peace of mind when you, your spouse, or your child gets sick.
Retirement Contributions That Build Long-Term Security
Union construction jobs may provide retirement benefits. For many union construction workers in New York and New Jersey, a defined-benefit pension is common. Sometimes, in addition to or instead of a traditional pension, union contracts may include employer-funded contributions to defined-contribution plans, such as 401(k)-type or annuity accounts, that grow tax-deferred.
Because the benefit funds are typically negotiated and maintained by the union (or through multi-employer trust funds) rather than a single employer, workers can often change job sites or employers within the union and jurisdiction without losing the service credits or accrued benefits they’ve earned.
On-Site Support When Job Issues Arise
When a job dispute arises, union workers don’t have to navigate it alone. Union reps and stewards are trained to intervene early and resolve issues fast by:
- Providing an immediate response. If a supervisor threatens, retaliates, or changes conditions without cause, union reps can intervene on-site.
- Helping with the grievance process. Unions provide formal pathways to challenge unfair treatment, safety concerns, or contract violations.
This kind of protection gives workers peace of mind on the job site.
We Share Your Pride in Your Work—and Your Union
In New York and New Jersey, Hofmann & Schweitzer proudly stands with union workers. We know the value of hard labor and the power of collective strength, and we’re here to protect it every step of the way.
If you're a union worker facing a job site injury, don't face it alone. You’ve got the union behind you, and when you need legal support, you’ve got us, too. Our dedicated construction injury lawyers have been representing construction workers for nearly 50 years.
