re: promoting union people to management. this is not always the best thing, and a lot of union people will turn down the offer. when you go management, you lose the union contract and only have your contract, if available, to stand on. you are the new kid on the management block, and when downsizing comes, you are the first out the door. then, your resume is not very deep in the management area and other management jobs are harder to obtain. some unions will not let you keep your card current while in a management position, so returning to the trenches may not be an option either.