is trade union membership worth it?

cellblockH

C_Mababejive wrote: »

In many cases union reps are simply used as tools by managers and the company. They know that they have to gain approval from reps to drive policy. They be nice to reps, reps dont want to stick their head above the parapet...decisions get nodded through over beer and sandwiches..everyone is happy apart possibly from members paying union dues for !!!!!! all.

Unless your in the RMT or similar of course..

Yeh the above happens far too often.

I am a union member. I job-wise have worked with the rep. Our union guy looks after himself and his position first and foremost. Our union rep is not good at his work job, and if others would have been fired years ago if they were up to his level of performance, lack of delivery, and incompetence.

Sometimes if two cases are running simultaneously, once case might be favorably compromised in behalf of the other unsavory case, especially if both union and management think what you were doing was not wrong or can't be proven, just unsavory, then they may work together (this was another persons experience). He did mo want to support a person that may have done an unsavory act as it will associate that act with the union but more so the union rep.

The other side, the predecessor to the above rep saved my job. Management gave me a repetitive task that was measured by the management and took 6 minutes to do. In the real world it took 4 hours to complete - on 7 out of 8 devices. Management did not believe me, or want to hear of their misjudgment, and my neck was in the chopping block.

Solicitor is a better way to go, but that is out of many peoples price range. As my friends girlfriend found, for some situations it is better not to pay a fixed and final legal cost, as there is no incentive to win, but every incentive to finish the case/hearing as quick as possible

Savvy_Sue

In my case, and to draw on the advert:

Union membership: £10 per month.

Being able to reply to a letter from my employer proposing a major change to my contract "I shall have to consult my union before responding": priceless.

I don't think they realised I was a member. In the event I didn't have to consult my union because they backed down quite rapidly.

elsien wrote: »

I've been a union member for 20 odd years and not once have I been made aware of or invited to anything social, self organised events for example. I've never met a union rep or branch steward.

I receive regular emails about local events, and last year was invited to a free weekend at Croyde Bay. Has your region got your email address?

Oh, I also took advantage of the 'free half hour legal advice' a couple of years ago.

ohreally

cellblockH wrote: »

I am a union member. I job-wise have worked with the rep. Our union guy looks after himself and his position first and foremost. Our union rep is not good at his work job, and if others would have been fired years ago if they were up to his level of performance, lack of delivery, and incompetence

Then deselect him. He only holds office because the member's vote him in giving him a mandate.

The solution is in your hands.

jobbingmusician

Not worth it at all for me.

My union negotiated a compromise agreement for me. (Not a great one, but I accept that they were useful then.) Several years later the ex-employer broke this quite dramatically. Almost unbelievably, the Union then assessed my chances of winning a court claim against them at less than 50%, and refused to support me in court. In the end I decided not to pursue this claim - not because I felt I'd lose, but through frustration and the knowledge it would destroy the very useful charity concerned.

In the mean time, I had worked for ANOTHER employer* and took them to ET. The Union refused to support me in this claim too (I won).

I don't think I am the employee from hell. It's my poor experience with employers that makes me so passionate about this board and determined to try to support others!

*Yes, the charity sector has some incomparably poor employers!

C_Mababejive

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

In my case, and to draw on the advert:

Union membership: £10 per month.

Being able to reply to a letter from my employer proposing a major change to my contract "I shall have to consult my union before responding": priceless.

I don't think they realised I was a member. In the event I didn't have to consult my union because they backed down quite rapidly.

I receive regular emails about local events, and last year was invited to a free weekend at Croyde Bay. Has your region got your email address?

Oh, I also took advantage of the 'free half hour legal advice' a couple of years ago.

Regarding legal advice,,i had formed the impression that the TU legal dept should support legal advice and support once a case has been evaluated but i now believe that of course TU do not have legal depots. They simply have business relationships with certain firms of solicitors and they pipeline cases to them. The only cases they generally are interested in forwarding on are personal accident and damages claims which are likely to produce a compensation payment. The TU probably gets commission for supplying the case and there is no further cost to them. The solicitors get a nice little earner for themselves and hopefully for the client.

Of course legal support is a big benefit of TU membership but then maybe if you have a good case then any high street solicitor would fly it for you anyway in the hope of an earner? Further,,dont most home insurance packages provide the same or similar,,and if not, are there similar products available elsewhere?

C_Mababejive

ohreally wrote: »

Then deselect him. He only holds office because the member's vote him in giving him a mandate.

The solution is in your hands.

To be fair to TU reps, the reason why some of them manage to retain their tenure is that the people whom they represent do not have the guts or the intellect to take up the position. Others are good at loading guns but are not prepared to pull the trigger. If a TU rep made a stand these days, most of his members would slink away into the shadows rather than stand with him.

ohreally

C_Mababejive wrote: »

i now believe that of course TU do not have legal depots. They simply have business relationships with certain firms of solicitors and they pipeline cases to them.

That's incorrect. A TU will have legal officers who will require a law degree. Cases will be evaluated to establish if they meet the criteria to progress, and this progression will be in accordance with the union rule book, which is mandated by conference.

Helen224488

I work as an administrator in a school in Bristol and recently became the work steward/rep for UNISON as our last steward/rep left and we had no one to represent our school. I pay aprox £10 per month and the benefits are endless. Before I became the work steward/rep I was a member for years. I have recently attended the steward/rep training which I found very interesting.

The FREE benefits I have taken are: free will for myself and partner, 'Return to Learn course' at The Marriott Bristol, 12 weeks, Mon eves 6.30pm-9pm, this course really gave me confidence and I received a level 3 which is equivalent to A Level. It also included a residential weekend at The Marriott which was amazing. I also attended a weekend course at Croyde Bay 'Assertiveness for women in the workplace.' There are several free courses you can attend as a member and you can claim back your expenses for travel etc. No cost to you as a member.

FOR SOUTH WEST EDUCATION BROCHURE COPY AND PASTE FOLLOWING TO YOUR BROWSER:

http://www.unisonsouthwest.org.uk/_assets/images/eandt/photos%20and%20graphics/2015%20education%20programme%20-%20membership.pdf

My school is an academy and UNISON recently secured a pay rise - a minimum of 2.2% and a Christmas bonus of £100 (Previously the offer was 1%). There are also discounts on various insurances, holidays at Croyde Bay and death benefits etc.

I am glad I joined UNISON and am happy to be a workplace steward/rep.

Savvy_Sue

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Regarding legal advice,,i had formed the impression that the TU legal dept should support legal advice and support once a case has been evaluated but i now believe that of course TU do not have legal depots. They simply have business relationships with certain firms of solicitors and they pipeline cases to them. The only cases they generally are interested in forwarding on are personal accident and damages claims which are likely to produce a compensation payment. The TU probably gets commission for supplying the case and there is no further cost to them. The solicitors get a nice little earner for themselves and hopefully for the client.

Of course legal support is a big benefit of TU membership but then maybe if you have a good case then any high street solicitor would fly it for you anyway in the hope of an earner? Further,,dont most home insurance packages provide the same or similar,,and if not, are there similar products available elsewhere?

It was a very basic phone consultation, and then they phoned back to answer the query. Yes, I could probably have got the same help elsewhere, but it was very convenient and did the job.

Taiko

Southend1 wrote: »

Does unison negotiate your pay and conditions with your employer? If so you only have a say in negotiations as a member. Union members are generally paid more than non members.

Source? I can't find anything that backs this up for people on the same job role.

What happens if you have a problem at work and need legal advice or have to go to tribunal? Unison would cover the costs which would be considerable if you had to pay them out of your own pocket. You can also get support and advice from your local steward, who will also be able to represent you at grievance or disciplinary hearings.

Most people opt for legal cover on a home/contents policy. This will be covered in most cases.

You also get free access to a certain amount of legal advice on non work related matters.

As above


You can access training at no cost to yourself via the union. speak to your steward or learning rep for advice.

Most UNISON roles tend to have free training provided by the employer anyway in my experience.

Unison uses some of your subs to campaign and lobby for improved pay and working conditions in the UK.

Read - Money given to a political party in order to try and influence decision making.

Working in a unionised workplace is generally much safer than a non unionised workplace. Union health and safety reps will be working hard to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

So would a non-union Health and Safety rep, which again is someone most places would have anyway.

There are some discounts available via the union on various products and services (mostly financial but also discounted holidays etc).

Discounts are good, but can you still get the deal cheaper elsewhere? Think it over, and you could be paying £240, and may struggle to recoup a fair proportion of that.

There are a number of rulebook benefits e.g. Death benefit, accident benefit.

Again, public sector jobs often have "death in service" benefits in the terms of employment.

Unison welfare can help you in an emergency e.g. With an emergency grant or a respite holiday if you have been experiencing difficulties in your life.



There are a number of self organised groups e.g. Black members, LGBT members, women members etc to promote equal opportunities and help boost confidence, fight discrimination etc.

Which is all well and good, for a white heterosexual male

Your branch may organise social events etc

But they may not!

I could go on....

Worth having the flipside of the coin, for balance. There are alternatives in everything.