Joining a union when "under threat"

incesticde

Hi folks,

Starting on Tuesday pretty much everyone (including me) will be told our jobs are at threat, this is the start of a process that ends in August and people will be de-scoped between now and then with those left in scope getting the big elbow.

Along with this cheery, morale boosting process there will be an alignment of T&C's between the four separate businesses that make up my company.

At this moment in time I'm fairly relaxed about the whole thing and preparing myself for any eventuality

I think I'm more likely to lose benefits than my job (although you never really know do you?) so was wondering two things :

1: if I don't like the new T&C'S offered to me could I claim redundancy (I.e. the payment)?, and
2: is there a qualifying period you have to be a member of a union before they will assist you in the redundancy/re-alignment process? (not currently a member of any union)

Thanks in advance for any and all help

Incesticide

getmore4less

re 1. look up suitable alternative.

Watch out for "apply for jobs" that bypasses the redundancy protections.

re 2 : How many people, they may need to look at colective processes and elect reps or use current union reps so you have a group representation.

princessdon

I am currently "at risk" and rang Unison - They were happy to accept my membership - but said some benefits would not accessible for 4 weeks, but they did accompany me to meetings.

I say ring your union and ask

ariba10

Something like looking for insurance after you have had an accident?

incesticde

getmore4less wrote: »

re 1. look up suitable alternative.

Watch out for "apply for jobs" that bypasses the redundancy protections.

re 2 : How many people, they may need to look at colective processes and elect reps or use current union reps so you have a group representation.

They are going down the employee rep route, which is all very well, but nowhere near as useful/powerful as a union.

Thanks for your help

incesticde

ariba10 wrote: »

Something like looking for insurance after you have had an accident?

If you are unable, or perhaps unwilling, to offer any constructive advice then might I suggest you keep posts such as this to yourself?

Whilst I am relaxed about any outcome from this redundancy process (good marketable skills, great experience, a years worth of salary saved etc. etc.) there will be other people who will post on this board in a desperate & frightened state of mind about their situation who will be upset by cheap shots like this.

getmore4less

incesticde wrote: »

They are going down the employee rep route, which is all very well, but nowhere near as useful/powerful as a union.

Thanks for your help

Depends how good your reps are,

getting union support for them is worth while, check around there may be union members that can ask for support.

Another thing to check out is counternotice and how that works.

Googlewhacker

incesticde wrote: »

If you are unable, or perhaps unwilling, to offer any constructive advice then might I suggest you keep posts such as this to yourself?

Whilst I am relaxed about any outcome from this redundancy process (good marketable skills, great experience, a years worth of salary saved etc. etc.) there will be other people who will post on this board in a desperate & frightened state of mind about their situation who will be upset by cheap shots like this.

Actually its a valid point, other people that read this board should take on the fact that really union membership should NOT be thought of after they need it....it should be like any insurance and taken out just in case.

ariba10

I belonged to a Trade Union all my working life, for no other reason than protection.

Credit-Crunched

Trade unions do nothing to prevent the machine moving if you are in the private sector.

They jump up and down at the loss of 5 jobs in the Passport office in Newport, yet stand by and let a major bank cull 2500 of its staff.

They are run by overpaid, prehistoric hypocrites.

Rights of the working class, well please tell me why my £10 a month should pay your £150,000 salary?

If you are working for the benefit of the people, drop the excessive salary, stays at luxury London hotels (Google it) and represent the people you appear to love so much.

Spend your £10 a month on something more useful like a chocolate tea pot

pinkladyof66

Googlewhacker wrote: »

Actually its a valid point, other people that read this board should take on the fact that really union membership should NOT be thought of after they need it....it should be like any insurance and taken out just in case.

I totally agree with this I have belonged to our union since i was 16 now a mere 46 paid in every month as yet I havent had to use them. We are currently being cut back and expect lots of job losses. So I am hoping they will be there for me when I need them. I have lost count of how many people within our organisation have not been in the union until such time as they are in the s51t. When they have rather quickly put in their application to join !!! Makes me so mad. !!!! So I agree with this poster.