Is it worth joining a Union?

snowcat53

I would strongly advise you to join. Leaving aside the political and historical arguments, if things get sticky (eg redundancy threats, TUPE, outsourcing, harassment, bullying, or the many ways in which management may try to ride roughshod over staff) then the support of a union can be really invaluable. If several of you are involved it helps to have strength in numbers.

Of course some unions are better/more effective than others, and the quality of local reps and advice varies greatly but usually in case of need you can access specialised help and legal advice and support.

If you look through these threads (and the redundancy ones) you will find a common refrain when someone runs into trouble and needs legal advice. 'Are you in a trade union?' And at that point it is too late to join and get help. The other options are if you have a legal help insurance policy or paying for a employment lawyer's advice and help (which will cost - probably several years' TU subs)

zagfles

ohreally wrote: »

Opting out of a political levy doesn't normally reduce your subscription, it simply increases the union income.

It did with mine. Though I think the opt out only saved me about 70p a month (wasn't so much for the money just I didn't want to fund the Labour party!)

richardvc

It depends which union - I am a member of ASLEF and whilst I don't always agree with their opinions when it comes to defending their members, they are excellent.

If you do have any issues, from my experience the unions are generally far sharper than the people they are facing and provide excellent representation.

My contribution is £25 per month but as an earlier post says it seems a lot when you are coasting but if you need help it is money well spent.

My union is strictly for train drivers so is job specific and they obviously have an understanding of the job and the difficulties / stresses that it involves whereas some of the unions seem too general and that is where I would choose carefully. Is your union job specific or even industry specific ? If not, think carefully.

SHIPSHAPE

No, don't bother, particularly the CWU, they're also the union for the Post Office and they are rubbish.

If you have an employment problem speak to somebody who knows what they are on about, like an employment lawyer.

eg Why would one seek advice from a postman regarding the legalities of an employment? That is essentially what Royal Mail CWU members receive.

If you have a good home insurance policy you will have cover for employment disputes.

Effective trade unions are a thing of the past and are staffed today by muppets.

Sosdon

Join the union

The help i have received over the years has been invaluable ..

kingfisherblue

Another vote for joining a union. My daughter is in Unison, due to the type of work that she does, and pays about £5 a month - but she earns far less than you do.

If you ever need legal help regarding your employment in the future, £15 a month will seem cheap. Think of it as insurance, you hope you never need it, but at least it is there if you do.

Incidentally, my mum re-wrote her will last year and it cost £75 - most quotes were for over £100 and it isn't a complicated will. So a free service thrown in is a bonus

Humphrey10

Depends on the union.

bluenoseam

Firstly £15 is probably less than you spend on lunch per week!

Second as someone already pointed out, that seems like a chunk when times are good, but when it comes time to negotiate wage increases etc that suddenly will seem like £180 a year well spent!

hcb42

ohreally wrote: »

When you next go into work, remember to thank your colleagues for your terms and conditions of service, after all they have paid for them while you get to enjoy them for free.

Perhaps this is what they really meant by "you should absolutely join".

An "older" colleague, indeed my line manager made this statement to me when I was 19 and fresh in my first proper job.

I thought it was nonsense then and I still do 25 years later. My colleagues did not pay for anything for me as quite simply they do not act for me, in negotiating my pay and benefits nor does any union in my work experience. Indeed i prefer the personal approach.

Op, join if you want to, or dont if you dont, but it is your decision and you need to stand by it, including if things get tricky, but there is no universal law here. I have never regretted not being in a union, on the other hand plenty of people on these threads probably have. It's just a choice.

ohreally

hcb42 wrote: »

My colleagues did not pay for anything for me as quite simply they do not act for me, in negotiating my pay and benefits nor does any union in my work experience. Indeed i prefer the personal approach

Where collective bargaining machinery exists, why would an employer negotiate on an individual basis - indeed to do so would likely breach the collective bargaining agreements and established procedural agreements.


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