Unions

jacques_chirac

ValHaller wrote: »

You misunderstand. Everyone gets their vote on a strike. And everyone is expected to abide by the majority decision. If someone cannot do that, then their only honourable course is to resign.

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.

This post typifies exactly what is wrong with unions - 'my way or the highway'. The sad thing is that the author clearly has no idea of the politics behind unions - anyone that thinks they are solely acting for the good of their members is very naive.

ValHaller

jacques_chirac wrote: »

This post typifies exactly what is wrong with unions - 'my way or the highway'. The sad thing is that the author clearly has no idea of the politics behind unions - anyone that thinks they are solely acting for the good of their members is very naive.

If you don't like unions you don't have to join.

The really sad thing is that you stand outside of unions and think that the criticism 'my way or the highway' counts for anything. If you cannot abide by a majority decision - if you cannot take a majority decision which you disagree with and adopt it as a unanimous decision then you had no business in the union in the first place.

Once you have understood that it is 'our way' and not 'my way', the highway does not come into it. You might acuse me of naivety, but you are in ignorance of that which you seek to condemn. Management love your type because they can run rings around you.

Southend1

jacques_chirac wrote: »

This post typifies exactly what is wrong with unions - 'my way or the highway'. The sad thing is that the author clearly has no idea of the politics behind unions - anyone that thinks they are solely acting for the good of their members is very naive.

No "my way" about it at all. It's "our way", because we are the union. If you don't like democracy, don't join a union. On the other hand, if you want to earn a fair wage working in a secure job in a safe environment, free from unfair discrimination, abuse and victimisation then join a union.

dodgy_damo

Given the wave of austerity hitting public sector...be grateful that there is an option to join a Union, indeed there may be more than one union you can join?
It is useful to be able to get another opinion from people who deal with work related issues week in, week out.

cavework

The days when Unions had clout are long gone.
The GMPU fought my case when I as a female was paid 5k less per annum than a male employee doing the same job, even though I was City and Guilds qualified where he wasn't.I won
The GMPU gained me an apprenticeship in a Company that was 100% male employees.
Unions are there for the employees,you pay subs and should expect that if the sh** hits the fan they will be there to back you up.
Also , my Dad was awarded top ups for Nursing care from the old USDAW Union (name now changed) that he subscribed to until he retired

Southend1

cavework wrote: »

The days when Unions had clout are long gone.
The GMPU fought my case when I as a female was paid 5k less per annum than a male employee doing the same job, even though I was City and Guilds qualified where he wasn't.I won
The GMPU gained me an apprenticeship in a Company that was 100% male employees.
Unions are there for the employees,you pay subs and should expect that if the sh** hits the fan they will be there to back you up.
Also , my Dad was awarded top ups for Nursing care from the old USDAW Union (name now changed) that he subscribed to until he retired

They have more clout than some people would like us to think, particularly around issues like equality and diversity - e.g. http://www.unison.org.uk/news/wins-historic-equal-pay-case-worth-millions-of-pounds-for-members as a recent example.

Buellguy

My biggest problem with a lot of unions is the way they automatically assume you want to contribute to the labour party when you join. Just because I work doesn't make me a labour supporter!!!!

Southend1

Buellguy wrote: »

My biggest problem with a lot of unions is the way they automatically assume you want to contribute to the labour party when you join. Just because I work doesn't make me a labour supporter!!!!

Yes the link between unions and Labour is an interesting one. The Labour Party only exists because of the unions and its original purpose was to further union members' interests through Parliament.

You do have a right to opt out of the political element of the subs and many (all?) unions give the choice of a Labour affiliated fund or a non affiliated fund if you do pay.

Buellguy

Southend1 wrote: »

Yes the link between unions and Labour is an interesting one. The Labour Party only exists because of the unions and its original purpose was to further union members' interests through Parliament.

You do have a right to opt out of the political element of the subs and many (all?) unions give the choice of a Labour affiliated fund or a non affiliated fund if you do pay.

Well, you do if they tell you

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9580715/Unions-fail-to-inform-members-they-can-opt-out-of-Labour-funding.html

Sorry, couldn't resist, but that is pretty damning, imagine the uproar on here if that was in any kind of employment or purchasing contract (which is in effect what you are doing when you join a union)

Southend1

Buellguy wrote: »

Well, you do if they tell you

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9580715/Unions-fail-to-inform-members-they-can-opt-out-of-Labour-funding.html

Sorry, couldn't resist

No need to be sorry, it is a good point. All unions should follow UNISON's example on this IMO.