For all those people considering joining the CWA union with all their promises, let me tell you our story.
My husband was an 18 year Palm Beach County Utilities employee. Due to an illness as a result of exposure to chemicals he worked with while employed by the County he had to go out on disability. At his pre-termination meeting in April 2008, he was told that the "Union" would help all they could. Should he be terminated the Union would help him with the grievance process. Three weeks later my husband received his letter of termination from the County. Several e-mails were sent to Mr. Poulette. None of which were ever answered.
The Union failed my husband. They were not there when he needed them. They did not follow through to assist with the grievance process.
In addition I notified the Union, Mr. Poulette, that the County was going to try to collect tuition reimbursement from my husband upon termination. Again, no response from Mr. Poulette. I personally contacted the County to arrange to have the tuition reimbursement waived.
The moral of the story: Don't waste your hard earned money on union dues, particularly in these hard economic times with gas at $4.15 a gallon. You can do your own most of what the Union promises but does not follow through with.