why is there so much hostility towards trades unions here?

Spirit_2

I am definitley not anti-unions.

Having negotiated on national and large employer issues I prefer to deal with a well informed representative to reach a collective agreement than to have 7500 individual offers and negotiations. Individuals are not interested in equal pay/terms generally as they have a leaning towards the unequal when they benefit from it.

On the flip side it is at times difficult to be sure the 'representative' is representative of the local membership and not pedalling a line promoted by a politicised 'executive'.

When faced with an allegation concerning capability/discipline again the individual can face corporate machinery alone/with a friend/with an experienced TU rep who has the back up of further advice or lawyers.

On the flip side the TU rep may be a disappointment as they lack the necessary skill and wisdom .

Never been in a TU myself, but have met some really fabulous people who have taken their roles as staff representatives seriously and have fulfilled it selflessly.