I have been a member of two different unions and had really good experiences with both. I’m currently in a leadership position in my union. The small amount that I pay in dues has huge payoff in terms of much better benefits. In our last contract negotiation, management said that financial times were tough and tried to get rid of our cost-of-living increase, wanted to make us pay for our health care, wanted us to give up a week of vacation too (while at the same time having no cuts for upper management making huge salaries)! If we had not had a union, they would have just unilaterally enforced those decisions. Because we had a union, we were able to negotiate a deal that we were happy with. If work conditions are poor, a union will be able to help you. Of course, management is going to pressure you against it because they know that you will gain some power, and they will lose some power. That fact alone would personally make me want to have a union. Given the conditions you describe, I think it will benefit you. I am happy to chat with you about it if you have other questions – feel free to message me…