Union choice options please

pmduk

If the local union rep is useless, the obvious answer is to stand for election to that post.

ohreally

pmduk wrote: »

If the local union rep is useless, the obvious answer is to stand for election to that post.

Indeed. Perhaps the individuals who complain about rep performance forget they elected him in the first place or even worse they complain but are not union members.

Southend1

keitht53 wrote: »

I may be wrong but if there is a union at her workplace that is the obvious one to join. I don't see what point there would be in joining a union which has no contact with the employer.
On a day to day basis there is no benefit to being a union member. If the company negotiates the pay round with the union, it is paid to all employees irrespective of whether they are union members on not. The potential benefit of union members is in cases of discrimination, bullying etc, but even then it depends on the union rep actually being any help. I have seen very good union reps, and some who are worse than useless. You pay your money, or not, and make your choice.

There are many benefits of being a union member on a day-to-day basis. Firstly it can be seen as an insurance policy in case something goes wrong at work and you need advice or representation. Your union may also pay tribunal fees if you need to go to employment tribunal. Secondly there are many benefits such as sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, death benefit, discounts on insurance, holidays etc, legal advice on nonwork related matters etc etc depending on the union.

Also as has been pointed out by another poster, if your oay is negotiated by your union then it is a) unfair on your colleagues not to join and b) silly because you have no say in the negotiations that affect you!

And as another poster points out, if you don't think your shop steward is doing a good job then why not get involved yourself and help him out or stand for election against him and become shop steward yourself?

Armorica

silkyuk9 wrote: »

As ive said there are now no ongoing issues but working for a large supermarket chain isnt all sunshine and rainbows. the minor issues result in suspensions and management not going through discaplinaries correctly. I help her with all the info she needs but this is where a union rep should be more help to her in future.

Do large supermarket chains negotiate pay etc with unions?

For minor issues, the most useful would be an in-store rep. Are there signs in an eating / locker area about a union?

ohreally

Armorica wrote: »

Do large supermarket chains negotiate pay etc with unions?

Pay is negotiated annually by the Pay Review Team (a sub-group of 12
Usdaw Reps from the National Forum), led by the Usdaw National Officer.

http://www.engageforsuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/The-Benefits-of-Partnership-Working-Tesco.pdf

TELLIT01

ohreally wrote: »

So you would be quite happy being a parasite enjoying the benefits secured off the backs of the union members?

Absolutely:) Many of the union members where I work don't go out when a strike is called so I don't feel in the least guilty. I have never been a union member and never will be.
I know I'm referring to what might be considered ancient history, but at one time I worked at an engineering company where staff were offered 15% pay rise. The union refused the offer, demanding 15 1/2% (I'm not kidding) and then had the union members out for 3 weeks. You do the maths on how long it would take to make up the loss of earnings. Ever since that day I've had little or no time for unions. It was also later discovered that all the union reps had been paid by the union for the duration of the strike. All for one comrades - yeah right.

ohreally

keitht53 wrote: »

It was also later discovered that all the union reps had been paid by the union for the duration of the strike. All for one comrades - yeah right.

That's poor, it shouldn't have happened. Additionally, there is no need to pull everyone out, results can be achieved by selective striking, identify a group within the workplace and bring them out with union paying their wage.

Babbawah

Southend1 wrote: »

As is a random statement like that without any evidence whatsoever to support it.

IME large supermarket chains employees enjoy the legal minimum in workers rights.

Could you point us to one where a union has won the employees anything over & above them?

In your own time & be careful to only include those benefits which a union has won them.

Babbawah

ohreally wrote: »

So you would be quite happy being a parasite enjoying the benefits secured off the backs of the union members?

Using this logic, any worker who is not a union member must be a parasite.

I am not a union member.

The last 'comrade' that tried to call me a parasite barely reached the second syllable.

Is a union not a 'parasite' of its members?

If you wish to discuss, it's something I would much enjoy.

Babbawah

silkyuk9 wrote: »

As ive said there are now no ongoing issues but working for a large supermarket chain isnt all sunshine and rainbows. the minor issues result in suspensions and management not going through discaplinaries correctly. I help her with all the info she needs but this is where a union rep should be more help to her in future.

Which assumes that the union rep isn't corrupt & that the employer actually acknowledges them in the role.

IME, most are, & most don't.

What can a union do for your daughter that freely available advice from respected sources can't?

Sources which also don't come with the added downside of an unpublished agenda from a representative that was undemocratically elected !