union membership

DVardysShadow

buenaventura_durruti wrote: »

Is the CWU still giving money to the Labour Party?

I joined the IWW. They're a syndicalist union and dues are only about a quid a month.

No union gives money to the Labour party except by the political fund. And every union member can opt out of the political fund.

And a union at a quid a month is just too cheap to be able to do anything beyond manage its own subscriptions.

Estheroid

Decyfa wrote: »

Im quite young and inexpieranced workwise (3 years working) and I was advised to Joing the Union by the rep at work however when I asked my supervisor about it, he said it was a waste of money unless I was a troublemaker I'd not need the unions services. What are the pros and cons of joining a union?

Brilliant!

Contrary to some folks' beliefs, people don't join a union just because they're trouble makers! In fact, most unions have a 'cooling off' period where new members cannot ask for legal help/representation before a certain amount of time to prevent people just joining when they need help.

Why join a union?
- They represent people in the workplace when it comes to negotiating pay and restructuring
- Can step in to negotiate when there are problems in the workplace
- You can ask for a Union representative to be present at disciplinary investigations/hearings (said person will be trained at handling disciplinaries)
- Can provide access to training and education
- Access to free legal advice
- Other benefits, probably dependent on the union, can include discounts on holidays, insurance, and other stuff - you usually get a leaflet detailing the fringe benefits with the membership blurb.

The cons? It does seem that you get what you pay for, and the union is as good as the people who volunteer to be stewards (of which I am one in my workplace, and I'm a manager to boot, hiss! :rotfl:Not all managers are evil, honest!). I'm lucky in that in my place of work the union is well organised and well run and in close contact with regional.

sweetstudent

As soon as i was made permanent i joined the union, even though i have not used the union or its services however i will still continue to see it as a good investment!

Decyfa

@ Esteroid- Thanks for the information, Its something I've been considering my place of work at the moment is pretty much going to the dogs at the moment.