Pro's & Cons of union membership?

bionic_dad

Hi

first off apologies if this topic has been covered before?
I did a search but not much joy and secondly I hope this is posted in the correct section?

Ok probably a bit of a naive question, but i've never been involved with employment unions in twenty five years of work.
However I have just got a job in further education as a support technician and was recently invited to join Unison.
The college will shortly be entering a merger with another college and the union are on hand to ensure a fair, legal and smooth transition.
There dont appear to be many members at the college and if unions are so great and powerful (?) why is this?
A few people proffered that the unions are just militant bullies?
Hoping someone on here can give me a more constructive/neutral appraisal of the mechanics of it all?

thanks in advance

Bionic Dad

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ZootHornRollo

it depends entirely upon the union involved and the persons who will be acting as your immediate representative in any consultation process - union reps and employees are like all other organizations, theres people who are good at their jobs and those that aren't.

I personally don't like unions after several experiences with USDAW. They have been very disinterested in anything which has effected me and i have found the local reps to be more interested in the all expenses paid meetings and training weekends than employment rights. They have ignore anything that may require a knowledge of employment law and make mountains out of health & safety molehills.

when a shop closed down that my GF was employed in they didn't even bother to get in touch with her, they visited the store only once during the six week closure process and it was her day off, they never tried to get in touch with her at any point.

When i tried to leave USDAW it took them over 6 months to eventually cancel my payments and another 6 months to refund my payments from the date i actually cancelled to the day they stopped collecting.

That being said, given that you know there may be some turbulance ahead i would recommend joining as the costs are fairly low and its good to know that there will be some form of help there if you need it. You can always cancel again after everything has settled down.

mcspanna

I originally joined unison due to a bullying issue at work and stayed with them throughout our pay negotiations (I work in HE) but have now come out to save on the subs! Certainly in our place it is very quick aqnd easy to sign up once you think you have a problem and are going to need them, so I would save on the subs at the moment but keep their details handy in case you need to join in a rush! (that's what I'm doing from now on)

ohreally

mcspanna wrote: »

I originally joined unison due to a bullying issue at work and stayed with them throughout our pay negotiations (I work in HE) but have now come out to save on the subs! Certainly in our place it is very quick aqnd easy to sign up once you think you have a problem and are going to need them, so I would save on the subs at the moment but keep their details handy in case you need to join in a rush! (that's what I'm doing from now on)

In other words a parasite.

mymatebob

I have been a member of a union , an official of a union, and a member of "management"

I think that the principle of union membership is s good thing.
Much of what unions have fought for over the years has been enshrined (although that is a bit of a grand word) in law now.

I do think unions can serve a useful purpose, however all of the concerns you have may well be addresses by legislation that is already in place

Oldernotwiser

I think that being a member of a trade union just for what you can get out of it goes when trouble comes along goes completely against the ethos of the trade union movement. Your subs in the good times will help the union's work with others and then this can be reciprocated if necessary. Co-operative is the word!

Voyager2002

Please note: all the unions I have experienced will only help you if you had been a member for a qualifying period (three months, I think) before you got into difficulties. This policy is a response to some people 'free riding' in the way recommended by posters above. Quite simply, that will not work.

Union membership does give you access to legal advice when you need it, and a short consultation with an expert in employment law could easily cost as much as your union subscriptions for a year. Additionally, in contexts where there are strong unions pay rises are generally better than average, and again the pay rises are worth more than you pay in union membership.

However, when I really needed my union (UCU) they let me down badly, so I can't claim that joining a union will solve all your problems.

colin13

I think a union in a work place is a great thing,, they do not just fight for wage rises,, but they r also on ur side if u ever injure ur self in the work place all depends on ur work place wot type of union is involved,, if ur management r fair then there is no bothere ,, if ur management r bad management, then u will nedd the union to try and help u and the work force get decent working enviroment

bionic_dad

thanks everyone for taking the time out to respond - i'm glad there was no definitive answer dont feel quite so daft now.
The union in question is UNISON guess i will poll some of my colleagues...

thanks once again

annie_d

Dippy chick. That isn't really what unions are about now, is it?

Mr_Falling_Star

I would heartily recommend joining a Union, there are one or two downsides though. One is that you have to pay subs, the other is that if a strike is called you have to go on strike, whether you agree with the ballot result or not