unions?

ohreally

rabialiones wrote:

, also, i'm worried that a union may not take on my case if i join one now.

Firstly join, your case will be taken on.

If you have been reinstated it should have been at the same grade though not necesserally doing the same job. Consider approaching personnel,with union assistance and inform them of the stress you feel you are under...they have an obligation to deal with it - they must provide a safe environment for you to work in!
The reinstatement should have been to no detriment, who negotiated it for you if you wern't in a union? Did you do it yourself or did you have assistance from CAB or similar?

rabialiones

there was no negotiation, i just received a letter after repeated requests for reasons for my dismissal. the letter did state that the matter would remain on my file for 3 years.
this gave me suspicions about their actions. (dark forces).
i have had help from law centre, with writing letters etc, however, i attended the appeal hearing on my own.
i am now going to look at some unions, have seen Amicus, and will enquire from them or others i find.
just found PCS (public services union), will contact them also. and keep u informed.
thanks to everyone who has posted.

ohreally

rabialiones wrote:

i am now going to look at some unions, have seen Amicus, and will enquire from them or others i find.
just found PCS (public services union), will contact them also. and keep u informed.

Does Amicus and PCS have a local presence in your workplace? They may have recognition with your employer but that may not be much help if there isn't a local rep who is familiar with local issues.

As a point of interest, you can find a list of TUC affiliated unions here...http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/unions_main.cfm

rabialiones

looking at their relative websites,
amicus does have a local landline phone no.
pcs nearest number is in a nearby town.
have visited tuc site via link, which gives link for workSMART to find a union but link did not work, it will not connect.

ohreally

My mistake, i've failed to be understood. By local i mean stewards in your workplace employed by your local authority, rather than a union who has an office geographically closeby.
Ideally you will want (a competant steward) a steward in your department or who is closely involved with your department. Do you have Amicus and PCS stewards on-site at your workplace, and if so are they experienced enough to handle your complaint?

rabialiones

sorry, i misunderstood.
i think only steward may be unison who i'm not too keen on, but i will make furhter enquires to establish if there are any other ones.

Milarky

ohreally wrote:

Firstly join, your case will be taken on.

This would be the exact opposite of what I would had thought - a union won't accept membership in relation to an existing dispute. They offered me membership on two occasions that called for some degree of assistance but on neither occasion did they offer to formally assist if I then joined. They take the view [legitimately or otherwise] that they are merely an insurance company - taking the premiums when you don't need to make claim rather than obligated to assist any non-member. [Is it any better if they don't even invite you to join up as soon as you start work, as they did not do in my case?]

I tend to agree with the other comment by the OP earlier - than unions end up seeming to be aligned with the employer's position/requirements. It's not that they actively seek to undermine their ordinary members, it's just that they have to be on the 'inside track' with the employer or else it's the 'pistols at dawn' approach to employment relations.

As to pursuing the employer over 'constructive' dismissal, I'd say drop the idea and concentrate on the job. It was a close shave, but you're no longer sacked, why would you want to 'sack' yourself now?

ohreally

Milarky wrote:

This would be the exact opposite of what I would had thought - a union won't accept membership in relation to an existing dispute.

This type of scenario will be given union assistance from the moment the 'member' completes a membership form. There are certain benefits which require a 13 week qualifying period, legal aid being one, this is to prevent people joining simply to benefit from certain 'rule book benefits'.
I can assure you i've had a few staff approach looking for assistance who were not members, after completion of the membership form they will then be given advice/representation.

As for your perception that ''unions end up seeming to be aligned with the employer's position/requirements'' i would refute that most strongly. The interest of the member always comes first as far as i'm concerned.I have never knowingly compromised a member or been put in the position where my integrity is open to question.
I accept not all stewards are the same as i know some guys who have been stewards for years and they don't have a shop stewards bone in their body.
I hope the op makes the right choice in choosing an appropriate union and gets a worthy steward to assist and finds a solution which is acceptable.

rabialiones

that is what concerns me as well, that they might not be willing to assist me in an existing dispute.

As to pursuing the employer over 'constructive' dismissal, I'd say drop the idea and concentrate on the job. It was a close shave, but you're no longer sacked, why would you want to 'sack' yourself now?


i would dearly like to concentrate on the job, but its not that easy having gone thru this situation. the environment will be tense, i dont think i would be really comfortable, also, i would be constantly aware that someone is looking out and trying to nab me at any opportunity, and looking for an excuse to discipline/sack me.
i would like to go back, once the air is clear, but will it ever be?????????

ohreally

rabialiones wrote:

i would be constantly aware that someone is looking out and trying to nab me at any opportunity, and looking for an excuse to discipline/sack me.

That is harassment and the employer could be put in the firing line if they do this. Ensure you keep a diary and make notes of everything that is said, done or implied by your management, especially if you're being treated differently/less favourably than others.