Yes and no. You could likely work outside the union though with their minimum pay/max hours (and a employer side of the same). A union could work for local jobs

Yes and no. You could likely work outside the union though with their minimum pay/max hours (and a employer side of the same). A union could work for local jobs with other unions (think districts) to keep things local and provide equitable pay guidelines or openness. You likely would not be required to join anyway. Plumbers have it mostly sorted out though. Critical tech might demand higher pay but I love this story I read of a band doing a wedding and negotiating pay for a 4 hour reception. The planner and band can't come to an agreement so the band says to call the local plumbers union, ask what the cost is for 4 guys on a 4 hours job, and use that number with some drinks tossed in.