Trade Union Contacts

Mark_h_4

Hello,
Following on from my recent post I have logged a Formal Grievance with my company. I will need a trade union contact to attend the meeting with me however at this stage I have no contacts. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I have been told I can take a "friend" from my company to the meeting also but as I work alone and I havent met any of my team yet I dont have any friends as such within the company (I have also only worked with this company for about 2 months).

Thanks,
Mark

Acc72

Mark_h wrote: »

I will need a trade union contact to attend the meeting with me however at this stage I have no contacts. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Are you a member of a Trade Union ?

Mark_h_4

At the moment no. This isnt something I have ever had to look into before or (when I face redundancy from a banking organisation) it was provided for me.

serious_saver

Mark_h wrote: »

At the moment no. This isnt something I have ever had to look into before or (when I face redundancy from a banking organisation) it was provided for me.

The union you need will entirely depend on your industry.

You should be aware that there may be an emergency joining fee as you are not a member already.

Most union members pay a monthly fee to the union which means they can get immediate help and support/access to union solicitors. If you are joining the union now, just to get help, you might have to pay the full years membership up front.

Have you been in touch with acas to see if they can give you advice on who to take with you?

EDIT
I don't know much about your company but as you've only been with them for two months you will have fewer legal rights than someone who has been working with the company for a year.

Uncertain

It is unlikely that a union will provide assistance if you are not a member or within a short time of joining. They may make an exception if they feel the issue is of wider interest.

Technically, all that matters is that the person is an accredited union rep so it is just possible you may know one socially or via a family contact. They do not have to be acting on behalf of their union, all that matters is that they are "qualified". The company cannot then legally refuse.

It is possible to hire such a person via some of the specialised employment law solicitors but it is far from cheap! Google will find this service!

serious_saver

Uncertain wrote: »

It is unlikely that a union will provide assistance if you are not a member or within a short time of joining. They may make an exception if they feel the issue is of wider interest.

Technically, all that matters is that the person is an accredited union rep so it is just possible you may know one socially or via a family contact. They do not have to be acting on behalf of their union, all that matters is that they are "qualified". The company cannot then legally refuse.

It is possible to hire such a person via some of the specialised employment law solicitors but it is far from cheap! Google will find this service!

I am a union member and before I joined I was advised that it was possible to join in the event of an emergency but there would be a £120 up front fee. At the time this was equivalent to one years membership. It really does depend on the specific union and their rules.

I really think you ought to call the acas helpline. I don't know for certain but I have a feeling that you should be able to take someone for support whether they are an employee/union rep or not.

http://www.acas.org.uk/
Helpline numbers

Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm: 08457 47 47 47.

Mark_h_4

Thanks I will give them a call.

I did ask if I could take some one who wasnt an employee or union rep and this was refused.

If it helps this is in the IT industry?

I feel like im being stitched up a bit really with this case.

Jarndyce

serious_saver wrote: »

I am a union member and before I joined I was advised that it was possible to join in the event of an emergency but there would be a £120 up front fee. At the time this was equivalent to one years membership. It really does depend on the specific union and their rules.

I really think you ought to call the acas helpline. I don't know for certain but I have a feeling that you should be able to take someone for support whether they are an employee/union rep or not.

No you cannot. The legal entitlement is to take a work colleague, or an accredited union representative only. Don't see how ACAS can help.

If you ask nicely they may agree to let you take someone else, but seeing as you are taking the grievance out against them, why should they?

Uncertain

Mark_h wrote: »

Thanks I will give them a call.

I would double check any advice they give you!

Sadly this forum is littered with examples of the ACAS call centre giving out wrong information.

Do keep in mind that, at the first level, it is just a call centre staffed by people with only very basic training. It is not legal advice.

Mark_h_4

Jarndyce wrote: »

No you cannot. The legal entitlement is to take a work colleague, or an accredited union representative only. Don't see how ACAS can help.

If you ask nicely they may agree to let you take someone else, but seeing as you are taking the grievance out against them, why should they?

Exactly I asked they wouldnt let me. Is it worth now seeing if I have friends who are union reps I can take?

Uncertain

Mark_h wrote: »

Exactly I asked they wouldnt let me. Is it worth now seeing if I have friends who are union reps I can take?

Yes, as stated they cannot legally refuse - although they may need reminding of this!