> Union shops are lowest common denominator places. High performers tend to leave because seniority and politics dominates promotion and wages. This is absolut

> Union shops are lowest common denominator places. High performers tend to leave because seniority and politics dominates promotion and wages. This is absolutely not true in the trade unions. In an earlier life I was a union plumber (on my way to becoming a master licensed plumber; and to this day I can walk into virtually any commercial or light industrial jobsite, and tell you at a glance, if it is a union or non-union job). I don't just mean the plumbing work either; but also the electrical, and the pipe and/or steam fitting, and I'd be right 90% of the time. Such is the difference between the training and tradition of taking pride in your work. Salaries are also Not carved in stone. I was once paid $300 a week over General Foreman's wage to run a job, and that was in the mid-eighties. They are not perfect, and yes it can be harder to get rid of a real slacker, but nothing is impossible. And FWIW based on what I read on here in terms of the problems a lot of coders have with age, performance reviews and interviewing--you guys should definitely consider forming a union...or for Pete's Code Up App and stick together!