Pros
All comments based upon full time hire into support staff position. Very good health insurance from day one of being hired full time. Accru time off and sick leave from day one of being hired full time. Potential for excellent work / life balance. Potential for a wonderfully supportive atmosphere. Potential to take advantage of a paid college course per semester with full time employment and supervisors approval. Potential for a learning atmosphere. Potential for union help if work issues do arise. Potential for advancement is fairly good.
Cons
My experience did not consist of many of the potential benifits. I had 8 supervisors in 4 1/2 years (one did last for a full year). I was denied approval to take advantage of the college course benefit as none fit with my job description. My assigned union rep. was an epic fail. Massive work loads. When employees leave they were not replaced - remaining employees needed to absorb the added work load, leaving many to do the work of 3 to 4 people. As with anywhere, the management makes or breaks one's experience in the work place. The enviroment in my department was very dysfunctional, clickish and broken. Less and less are positions being promoted. When an employee leaves and the job is reposted, it often is reclassified below the previous standing. The same positions across the university can have wildly ranging classifications and salary varience. A position in one building that has the same job description and requires all the same skills can range from a low level low hourly wage support staff D level to a high classified, high salary professional level 3.