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Unions

Woolwich_Kim
Posts: 125 Forumite
Hi, I was working with an agency for a very long time but in the past year have got a permanent job.
I'm thinking of joining a union, not because somehing is happening but as a way of having back up.
Now, I've not sure exactly what a union do apart from "stick up for you if you're in trouble". All literature I've read is too complex for me.
As I've been employed less than 2 years thus not entitled to redundancy, is it not worthwhile until I pass the 2 year mark? Also, I work in public sector. My understanding is that public tend to know what they can and can't do therefore I may not need to join an agency.
Pros and cons of joining a union?
I'm thinking of joining a union, not because somehing is happening but as a way of having back up.
Now, I've not sure exactly what a union do apart from "stick up for you if you're in trouble". All literature I've read is too complex for me.
As I've been employed less than 2 years thus not entitled to redundancy, is it not worthwhile until I pass the 2 year mark? Also, I work in public sector. My understanding is that public tend to know what they can and can't do therefore I may not need to join an agency.
Pros and cons of joining a union?
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Comments
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To borrow from the Barclaycard advert: being in the union - £10 per month (it's based on your income so that varies!). Being able to say to your boss "I shall have to consult with my union about that" - priceless.
You can't bank on public sector knowing what they can and can't do, and even if they can do it, a strong union representation may cause them to think twice. Also if you are ever on the wrong side of a complaint or a disciplinary, you may be very glad of having a union rep at your side.
Join before the two years are up!Signature removed for peace of mind0 -
As a former rep from a public sector union, i'd say this. Even if management tend to know what they should and should not do, that does not mean they will stick to that, and it is always helpful to have a union in case of problems.current debt as at 10/01/11- £12500
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No one will insure you house after it has burnt down. It is the same with unions - they exist for their members, not for people who join after they hit a problem. Part of being a member is that you are there for everyone else as much as they are there for you.You might as well ask the Wizard of Oz to give you a big number as pay a Credit Referencing Agency for a so-called 'credit-score'0
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This page gives more info about what unions do: http://www.unison.org.uk/about/our-organisation/about-trade-unions/
I was glad to be a union member when my manager retired and was replaced by a nasty piece of work. I'm convinced I would have either had a total breakdown or ended up being sacked if it wasn't for my union. As a result I became a rep myself so I could help others when they experience difficulties at work.
If your pay and conditions are negotiated by your union as part of a collective agreement then you should definitely join as you will then be able to vote and have your say on pay and conditions.
There are other benefits for members too: rulebook benefits like sickness benefit, death benefit etc and others like free will writing, discounted financial services, free legal advice etc0 -
Unions are good for individual representation, where they fall down IMO is on their bullying ethos if you disagree with their decisions over things such as striking and alike.
Also, Unions are only as good as the people that represent them which in its own right is hit or miss and if the union don't think you have a chance of winning a tribunal they won't back you.
Plus their top dogs bleat on about cost of living etc and happily take their 100k+ salary.Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked0 -
Takeaway_Addict wrote: »Unions are good for individual representation, where they fall down IMO is on their bullying ethos if you disagree with their decisions over things such as striking and alike.
Also, Unions are only as good as the people that represent them which in its own right is hit or miss and if the union don't think you have a chance of winning a tribunal they won't back you.
Plus their top dogs bleat on about cost of living etc and happily take their 100k+ salary.
Unions are their members. So when "the union" makes a decision to take industrial action it is actually a direct consequence of a majority decision by members.
If you're concerned about the quality of union reps in your workplace, why not get involved yourself, if you think you can do a better job?
Why should a union waste members' subscriptions on legal action that its lawyers advise will not succeed?
And why shouldn't the leader of a large organisation be entitled to remuneration which reflects his or her level of responsibility? For example, UNISON has well over a million members and is a very large organisation. But if you disagree, why not propose a motion to conference and get a democratic decision on it?0 -
Takeaway_Addict wrote: »Unions are good for individual representation, where they fall down IMO is on their bullying ethos if you disagree with their decisions over things such as striking and alike.
If you are a member of a union, it is never 'their decision' it is always 'our decision' even if you voted against. If you can't take ownership of a properly taken decision and live with it, you have no business in the union in the first place.
It is out of this sticking together that the strength of the union is derived. And it is the reason why early unions were feared and deemed illegal by the boss class. It is this collective strength from which the standing to represent individuals is derived.
Generally something is very wrong on one side or the other if there is a strike, but given the power employers have over individuals - which we see on this particular forum day in and day out - the only power individual employees have in relation to their employers is to act together. If acting together with your fellow employees is not for you, then don't join a union.You might as well ask the Wizard of Oz to give you a big number as pay a Credit Referencing Agency for a so-called 'credit-score'0 -
Unions are their members. So when "the union" makes a decision to take industrial action it is actually a direct consequence of a majority decision by members.
And thus the bullying comes if you are in the minority.
If you're concerned about the quality of union reps in your workplace, why not get involved yourself, if you think you can do a better job?
I'm not, just seen enough posts on here about poor reps
Why should a union waste members' subscriptions on legal action that its lawyers advise will not succeed?
Did I say they should?
And why shouldn't the leader of a large organisation be entitled to remuneration which reflects his or her level of responsibility? For example, UNISON has well over a million members and is a very large organisation. But if you disagree, why not propose a motion to conference and get a democratic decision on it?
Because its a do as I say mentality over a do as I do, hypocritical.
I'm not going to get further into an argument with you Southend, I know your opinions as you know mine. Let's leave it at that.Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked0 -
Takeaway_Addict wrote: »Because its a do as I say mentality over a do as I do, hypocritical.
I'm not going to get further into an argument with you Southend, I know your opinions as you know mine. Let's leave it at that.
Sorry, I thought this was a discussion forum. I stand corrected.0 -
From recent personal experience, you cannot be confident that public sector knows the law.
I worked in a school where they decided that they would follow the county council policy without deviation, so have taken the Bradford Score trigger point as a compulsory Formal Stage 1 written warning. This is because they have omitted to use the "when considering" option in the policy.
Fortunately, I was able to use the Equality Act 2010 to argue that surgery I had, had earlier in the year should not have been counted towards my score, and therefore my score became a 5. They originally tried to argue that they were following policy so therefore right. I was ready to use my union should I have needed, and no doubt would have been invaluable.0
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