Joining a union when "under threat"

Credit-Crunched

pinkladyof66 wrote: »

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.

What do you expect them to do? Prevent the redundancy?

IN the 60's and 70's the union had a place, now something called European Law makes their existence questionable.

They do nothing, they talk the talk, take the salaries and then when they are really needed offer no backbone or help to the people in need.

pinkladyof66

They will make sure that we get a good deal and we dont get shafted !

Credit-Crunched

pinkladyof66 wrote: »

They will make sure that we get a good deal and we dont get shafted !

Course they will, like they prevented the 2500 HSBC staff losing their jobs!

pinkladyof66

Credit-Crunched wrote: »

Course they will, like they prevented the 2500 HSBC staff losing their jobs!

The op is asking whether he should join a union ? I gave him my thoughts you should be answering his question not attacking me - so go do one please !

DVardysShadow

incesticde wrote: »

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?

Actually, the point is quite constructive for anyone who is not yet in your position. The time to become a union member is as soon as you can, Not when the axe is hanging over you.

I pay my union dues, just like your union colleagues do. You have been pocketing that amount of money for however long. And only now you are thinking of joining.

Most union members will be pleased to welcome you aboard, even though the fact that you only think of paying up now that the going is tough. But face it, to some extent you are freeloading and ariba's comment is justified. If you join and one of your union colleagues makes a similar comment, then I think you should just accept it. The same comment here is entirely justified, and I welcome ariba making it. It is you who are out of order to my mind for not letting the comment be or even arguing against it.

antonic

I have been a PCS Union member now for 23 and a half years and in that time I have needed their help 3 times

1) 2001 when I was being pressured over my sick leave ( had to accept a 6 month reporting period after 6 months off sick with stress)
2) 2005 an accusation of Sexual Harassment made against me ( allegations not upheld)
3) 2008 A Level 1 Breach of Confidentiality Allegation (which I plead guilty to and got a 12 month written warning).

In all 3 proceedings Union Representation was vital esp in relation to Charge 2, as I would have been sacked if found guilty as thats Gross Misconduct.

So I would always recommend joining a Union , as others have said its like having an insurance policy you DONT want to claim on.

Credit-Crunched

pinkladyof66 wrote: »

The op is asking whether he should join a union ? I gave him my thoughts you should be answering his question not attacking me - so go do one please !

When have I attacked you?

I have merely stated that my view is that the modern day 'unions' are run by overpaid, archaic relics with no clue around the modern economy and workplace.

Any union who pays their leader more than the prime minister receives in annual remuneration needs to have their loyalty and objectives questioned surely?!

Googlewhacker

Credit-Crunched wrote: »

When have I attacked you?

I have merely stated that my view is that the modern day 'unions' are run by overpaid, archaic relics with no clue around the modern economy and workplace.

Any union who pays their leader more than the prime minister receives in annual remuneration needs to have their loyalty and objectives questioned surely?!

I think most union members would agree with your view but ultimately they do good for their members most of the time....I personally just don't like their bully mentality when they don't get their way all the time.

dickydonkin

Credit-Crunched wrote: »

Course they will, like they prevented the 2500 HSBC staff losing their jobs!

I don't think the Unions had much input into the way the banks managed to self destruct and significantly contribute to the recession we are currently in.

They will try to deal with the effect of redundancies - but have very little influence on organisations in preventing the cause of them.

Acc72

Credit-Crunched wrote: »

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

That is your opinion and fair enough.

However in the context of this thread (entitled "joining a union when under threat") what people are saying is that it would be somewhat hypocritical to hold such a view and then the first time you think you might need their services you look to join.