About a year ago, I started my first (public sector) union job after years of non-union work for different companies in the private sector. The difference in collective bargaining (0-100), benefits, job security, and mental/physical well being has been nothing short of amazing.
If you are currently strung out, feeling hopeless about your career in a private sector/non-union position or field, and are wondering if there’s something better for you - there is. I took a massive pay cut from private-public for the many benefits of a union job, and it was 100% worth it. Roughly 35% of public sector jobs are union-represented, and that percentage is higher in blue, worker-friendly states. Start applying to open positions that may interest you on your local/state government’s job board, use any connection you may have (I didn’t have one and still found something) - there is a better career for you out there :)