Pros
1. If you were hired in 2002-2005 in the union you get a real pension after 30 years - not many places offer such thing these days, but you must be there 30 years at least. 2. Job is stable and secure if you don't do anything stupid and follow all their rules and policies to the letter. 3. ConEd also offers a 401(k) that they match partially - max match for union is about $1200/annum 4. Medical benefits are ok, but they are getting worse and more expensive.
Cons
Takes forever to get a promotion if you don't know somebody. But, if you are someone's relaive - promotions come at the lightspeed regadless of your lack of qualification, and against all the rules and policies that Con Edison is asking everyone to follow. Very old school management practices. Ones at the bottom of the corporate ladder always get the blame for errors made by upper and middle management. Very top-heavy company. There is one supervisor for every 2-3 union employees who do the work - typical for Con Edison. As the saying goes: one guy's working, ten are watching - very true for this company. Most supervisors barely have a HS diploma and possess no or very little technical knowledge and expertise, they are not there to help you or answer your questions, they are there to watch your every move and it seems they have pleasure doing that. Very litte acation time - nothing the year you are hired, 5 or 10 days (depending on the month of hire) next year, and 10 days until you get 5 full years, after that you get 15 days/ammun, that also increases a little once you hit 12 years, and so on. Max. vacation now is 26 days - you get that after 30+ years. Very unflexible on any additional time off that you may need for personal/emergency issues - once you are out of your vacation days - you get nothing till end of the year no matter what your situation is.
