Union Bonds, aka Wage and Welfare Bonds, can be a troublesome area for contractors, agents and bonding companies. But we like to think there is something there to love. We will explain... The Hating For contractors, this is often their first brush with the wonderfully playful world of surety bonds. Maybe the contractor is focused on light commercial work, or is exclusively a subcontractor, so bid and performance bonds have never been needed. The contractor wants to get workers from the union hall so a new contract can begin on time. Suddenly this road block appears: "A $50,000 surety bond is required." Unfortunately, the contractor learns that financial statements are needed - but they are not immediately available. And there are financial strength requirements, which the contractor may need meet, soooo... ! For bonding companies, you might assume that if they get paid their premium, they should be perfectly happy to issue these. They are not. The union bond is often their first bond request from the new client. In other words, they don't have a file, don't know the financial condition of the applicant, are not confident in their ability to operate successfully, and this bond is considered a "financial guarantee" (as opposed to a performance and payment bond). A financial guarantee bond guarantees that the principal (construction company) will pay funds when due at a future date. Get out your crystal ball! If the contractor cannot pay the required union wages and benefits resulting in a bond claim, where will the money come from to reimburse the surety for the loss? Underwriters are quick to admit they think these bonds are the worst part of a contractors account, and they dislike having one as the first bond request from a new client. They prefer to get a couple of P&P bonds under their belt first.