I agree that 1500 would break me as well right now. But 1500 to a different company could be chump change. All I am saying, the training could help you in the future. If they are asking for a year, that is not so bad. Maybe if you talk to them about your concerns, they will prorate it. If you do find a different job and they won't help out, you don't have to take it. If the money is that good at a different job, it may still be worth it. That choice none of us can answer except you. It just happens that I have a similar dilemma. I am a firm believer in all the training I can get.
As far as the union thing, I've lost a couple union jobs because of seniority. One was by a week. I agree that seniority should play a part in determining who should stay or go, but so should work ethic. I was doing three times the output got walked right out the door. I have also seen a group union themselves out of a job by demanding more each time. I think that under the right leadership a union can be good, however in my area the leadership turns to greed and it was and is the actual workers that are suffering and losing jobs.
As far as the union thing, I've lost a couple union jobs because of seniority. One was by a week. I agree that seniority should play a part in determining who should stay or go, but so should work ethic. I was doing three times the output got walked right out the door. I have also seen a group union themselves out of a job by demanding more each time. I think that under the right leadership a union can be good, however in my area the leadership turns to greed and it was and is the actual workers that are suffering and losing jobs.