Union question

kazmeister

My employer is a large company and have agreements with 2 unions. As union members we all received letters saying they need additional reps. Can my line manager prevent me from becoming one?

Thanks in advance

DVardysShadow

No , the position of Union Rep is decided by the members. It is never the gift of Management.

kazmeister

Thanks DVardy

It wasnt a question of being a gift of management (unless I am mis- interpreting your answer). They have actually emailed me wanting to know how much time it will take up, the impact it will have on the team and "whether they can approve it" or not !!

I didnt think they could prevent me but wasnt sure and am still waiting for the union to get back to me. If I go ahead with it I can see tough times :rolleyes:

DVardysShadow

Your time spent as union rep is negotiated between union and company HR and the line manager has to like it or lump it. If the union has negotiating rights and you are elected by the union members, he has no say. Of course union membership has gone out of fashion, but it is this kind of assumption of rights by your manager which is bringing it back.

Horace

You can be a union rep - your boss doesnt decide that..I think what your boss is asking is how much facility time you will need to cover your representative duties.

A few years' ago I used to be branch secretary of my union and was allowed 5hrs facility time each week to represent members and attend meetings on behalf of the union (health & safety, meetings with management to negotiate pay etc). Lunchtimes were spent catching up with union paperwork. I had to negotiate that time with my employer.

I think that maybe your boss is worried that you are going to be carrying out union duties all day and won't have time to do his work which is understandable..the union should negotiate (or you should) some facility time for yourself if you are going to be a union rep (don't forget you will also need time to attend union courses in representation etc).

kazmeister

Hi thanks again

Said manager I think doesnt want me to be a union rep, not because of the impact on the team but I think more of the impact on them. They dont appear to like me and have tried to make worklife difficult for me in the past as I am outspoken and will stand up in an argument. I think they are trying to prevent me from effectively gaining any strength if that makes sense.

ohreally

Contact a full time officer of your trade union and request they draw up a facilities agreement in conjunction with your employer. This will set out the terms of reference under which you will operate and both sides should reach agreement on how it's implemented.

Next step is to arrange appropriate training, see you local tuc venue for shop stewards stage 1 & 2 and health and safety stage 1 & 2.

http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/education/learn-332-f0.cfm

Vader123

Not quite true.

A manager can stop someone from being a union rep if

1) They are on performance measures
2) If the time away for being a rep impacts on the service of the department.

They can't stop you though being part of the union.

This was certainly part of the UNISON agenda.

Vader

DVardysShadow

Vader123 wrote: »

Not quite true.

A manager can stop someone from being a union rep if

1) They are on performance measures
2) If the time away for being a rep impacts on the service of the department.

They can't stop you though being part of the union.

This was certainly part of the UNISON agenda.

Vader

Makes no sense, if the union has formal bargaining rights. It certainly is not down to the individual manager - effectively you are saying that they overrule HR on this.

auldblerk

That's a UNISON doctrine; most Unions do not work this way. If some of the Managerial staff look upon you as outspoken and don't like to hear what you have to say then naturally, they will try to dissuade you from being a Union Representative but at the end of the day, they (the management) cannot prevent you from becoming a representative as long as you have became one through the right process.

kazmeister

Thank you for all your replies