Unions are crap
I belonged to one. If an open-shop state, send a registered letter to your Local resigning. If they refuse, which they probably will until the "anniversary date," file a NLRB complaint with a copy of your registered letter. You can quit anytime you want regardless of what the "union" says. The NLRB will defintely back you on that one. Just download the form, make 3 copies, and send it to the NLRB, the Union Local, and keep your copy. Do it quick! After six months, no recourse with NLRB.
Oh, and they have to represent you regardless of membership. If they don't, that is an NLRB violation and, guess what, you can then sue them over it! If they settle a case without your approval, that is also an NLRB violation and you can sue them over that too!
Blue collar Unions USED to be a good idea (some still are but rare). In my personal view, most are a bunch of idiots (was a Union Steward by the way and better than almost everyone in the union) that think companies are stupid when it comes to unions (and are just in it to get paid for doing almost nothing). Companies aren't. Most popular unions nowadays are professional unions.
The contract is a contract with you. Think of it that way. Read it, know it, and file a grievance if the company violates it. If they disagree, ask the idiot from the company, "where in the contract are your getting that idea?" then cite your contract language.
The EEOC is far more effective than the union. Union Steward training is pretty much a joke. Even the company thinks most grievances are a joke and treat them as such.
I don't hate unions just had a lot of problems with their incompetence, selling us out for retiree benes, etc.