Query/dispute with my salary

ohreally

AubreyMac wrote: »

I've emailed the union rep to ask if they can advise non members

Don't you mean you e-mailed the rep for a membership form or are you simply brass necked?

AubreyMac

Southend1 wrote: »

Why aren't you a union member?! The number of threads that pop up here where people want help from a union they don't belong to is unbelievable. Go online and join your union now so you can get help next time you have a problem at work!

I certainly intend to join. The reason why I haven't joined yet is because

a) I haven't been there 2 years yet. I think the biggest worry for anyone at the moment is redundancy and I'm aware that unless I've been there 2 years, I don't have as much rights not only to redundancy but as highlighted in some of the replies here such as unfair dismissal and discrimination.

b) I'm looking to be a first time buyer within a year from now. I'm told now that all your direct debits is taken into consideration and can negatively impact on the amount you can borrow so wanted to wait until I have actually got a place first.

When I do join, I intend to stay a member. I know a couple of people who join at the point they are in trouble and then unjoin afterwards. I don't believe in doing that.

Southend1

AubreyMac wrote: »

I certainly intend to join. The reason why I haven't joined yet is because

a) I haven't been there 2 years yet. I think the biggest worry for anyone at the moment is redundancy and I'm aware that unless I've been there 2 years, I don't have as much rights not only to redundancy but as highlighted in some of the replies here such as unfair dismissal and discrimination.

b) I'm looking to be a first time buyer within a year from now. I'm told now that all your direct debits is taken into consideration and can negatively impact on the amount you can borrow so wanted to wait until I have actually got a place first.

When I do join, I intend to stay a member. I know a couple of people who join at the point they are in trouble and then unjoin afterwards. I don't believe in doing that.

a) is not a good reason for not joining. You still benefit from access to advice and representation even if you have been working there less than 2 years. If your union is recognised and your pay and terms are negotiated collectively then by being a non member you are also unable to have your say in how and what is negotiated.

b) I can understand your desire to minimise non essential expenditure prior to getting a mortgage, however since your union is extremely unlikely to offer help to non members you may now have cost yourself more than you have saved by not joining.

BillJones

AubreyMac wrote: »

Talking of equality, shouldn't two people who do the same job be paid the same?

No two people do the same job, though. They may have the same job description, but you can bet that they don't carry it out exactly equally well.

So in your nonexistent example, maybe. In the real world, no.

FBaby

The way you describe it, what you say makes sense, so which point are HR disagreeing with you?

Most likely, they think they are applying a policy correctly. Have you seen this policy?

AubreyMac

FBaby wrote: »

The way you describe it, what you say makes sense, so which point are HR disagreeing with you?

Most likely, they think they are applying a policy correctly. Have you seen this policy?

Well HR aren't saying anything specifically to be honest and havent answered any of my queries directly. Instead, they are saying to take my query to my line manager.

My line manager is saying that as my previous post was deleted, I am given little choice about my new job and salary because the alternative would be to become redundant. Therefore altough my manager can see my point, he thinks I have little to fight with.

The union rep got back to me saying they are willing to meet with me one off but I am required to join the union for any advice after that.

AubreyMac

Southend1 wrote: »

a) is not a good reason for not joining. You still benefit from access to advice and representation even if you have been working there less than 2 years. If your union is recognised and your pay and terms are negotiated collectively then by being a non member you are also unable to have your say in how and what is negotiated.

b) I can understand your desire to minimise non essential expenditure prior to getting a mortgage, however since your union is extremely unlikely to offer help to non members you may now have cost yourself more than you have saved by not joining.

I should also point out that my line manager was rather discouraging about the idea of me joining a union.

He said that nowadays with so many agency workers and non union members, he feels that unions and strikes have little effect and if anything, a strike will probably save a company/organisation money.

Funny how he's a union member though, aint it? When I pointed this out he said ''yeah but they saved me from redundancy over 20 years ago so I feel I owe it to them to remain a member''.

Southend1

AubreyMac wrote: »

I should also point out that my line manager was rather discouraging about the idea of me joining a union.

He said that nowadays with so many agency workers and non union members, he feels that unions and strikes have little effect and if anything, a strike will probably save a company/organisation money.

Funny how he's a union member though, aint it? When I pointed this out he said ''yeah but they saved me from redundancy over 20 years ago so I feel I owe it to them to remain a member''.

Your line manager likely has his own agenda. You may be more compliant and easier to "manage" if you don't have access to information and representation on your rights at work.

The argument about membership density and agency workers is a ridiculous one. If this worries you, why not hold a recruitment day and encourage your colleagues to join the union too?

And on the final point, yes, he knows how best to protect his interests - so follow his example and join your union today!!!

lincroft1710

Don't expect equality and fairness in the public sector, despite their claims to the contrary. I should know, I spent 35 years working there.

t0rt0ise

As others say, the employer can do what they like. I worked in a job at one grade and then moved to another hospital at a lower grade and they put me on the bottom of the scale despite my experience at a higher grade. But they can do what they like so I had no come-back except to look for another job which I did and found one where they said "that's ridiculous" and put me on the top of the grade. So one hospital treat their workers like !!!! and the other doesn't. The first actually took 6 months to pay me my owed holiday pay so they were doubly !!!!.