In this day of Right To Work laws, cutting labor unions, and the rumors that unions harm the economy, many people assume a wrong perception of unions. I would know, because I come from a strong IBEW union family. My father and grandfather always instilled the practices of Union Brotherhood, but also showed a great sense of pride to be apart of a Union.

Today, half of America is "Right to Work". While the idea of right to work is great, it simply does not work. Workers in right to work states can have the union benefits without having the union dues. However, as said best by Billy Mayes, "Wait! There's more!", workers in Right to Work states have lower wages and less benefits since there is no union bargaining. According to AFL-CIO, states with these laws make an average of $6,109 a year less compared to states who aren't Right to Work. In addition, out of the 10 states with the highest poverty rate, 8 of them are right to work. Michigan, being famous for now poverty and Flint Water Crisis, used to be a thriving state thanks to the union car making facilities. Since it went Right to Work, the state is provershed, and faced a 17 percent poverty increase in the year of 2015. Michigan became a right to work state in 2012.

The proudness of the union that my father and grandfather have goes way beyond their wages and paychecks. In Febuary of 2013, my father fell three stories on a job site, leaving him with Traumatic Brain Injury, shattered ribs, bleeding and swelling of the brain, and multiple broken bones. That day, a line of my fathers union brothers, former students (my father also teaches union apprentices) and retires were lined up by his door, giving my mom and I hugs and sharing stories of how great my father is. I remember coming home from school and the President of the IBEW was in my kitchen with food, and an envelope full of money donations for my mom. While my father may have to pay a small amount of money in dues for the union, their love, warmth and kindness is something that will stay with me forever. I doubt that if my family wasn't in a union we would get that respect.

I grew up with a father and grandfather constantly contributing to the economy. While some always assume that unions harm the economy, I feel otherwise. I'm blessed and lucky that my father makes a decent living wage so I have everything I need from a house and food, but also really special presents for Christmas, my birthday or graduation. My father always joked that his wages go to the economy because he is constantly spending. Higher wages mean that people are able to buy more to boost the economy, Lower wages go mainly to support the family on a needs base. I am not trying to sound spoiled, but it is nice to know that as hard as my father works, my family can provide and spend in a way that I grew up humbly.

I grew up apart of a union brotherhood. I would not trade my 500 "uncles" for anything. And most of the people around me growing up were IBEW union brothers that my father was close friends with that made sure they were apart of my life. I was lucky to have the same union president that brought over food and a donation to my family during the roughest time write me a letter of recommendation for college.

The IBEW 456 union has given my family opportunities, friendships but also a family. Unions are a supportive group of workers, not a bunch of people who harm the economy.