Been Union and non, will stick Union if at all possible just to get in on pension programs and group rate health benefits, worth their price for dues and the lower premium/input levels. Been a shop mechanic, small independent garage, dealer, utility and others, been a independent on the side but could not see past my benefits to go fully independent but that is each individuals call. If you can pack the cash away and NOT touch it for a retirement plan then by all rights Independent IS the way to go, expenses/bad debt or billing can exceed income so have to be choosy and careful of who you work for or machines to work on. Examine the independents in your region, if is supply heavy you may be better off where at as the discounting to retain customers is a bad day to have to encounter. We have three dealers and four independent mechanics around here, we also have four independent machine shops but ALL are so back logged they can barely get anything done, the price ranges reflects that and the shingle for Mechanic/Machinist Wanted hangs solidly at most. Most indies do not take on long term work they leave that for the dealerships to absorb where they can bump good fast $$$ recovery work in and out either daily or every few days.
