Which Union To Join as a New Civil Servant?

ray1971

Been in DWP for 27 years and always been in PCS union.Never been given options to join other unions.

ohreally

ray1971 wrote: »

Been in DWP for 27 years and always been in PCS union.Never been given options to join other unions.

Three TU's are recognised within the dept....http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/department_for_work_and_pensions_group/reference_library/employee-relations-framework/dwp-policy-statement/dwp-policy-statement.cfm PCS probably correct for your circs.

DWP policy statement


Employee relations

The department’s policy

1. We value the opinions of staff and seek wherever possible to give them the opportunity to influence the way we do things. As part of that we want a productive dialogue with the three trade unions we recognise, which are:
•the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which is open to all grades but recruits mainly below the senior civil service;
•FDA for senior managers, fast streamers, lawyers, economists and statisticians located mainly at the department’s centre;
•Prospect for certain professionals, such as psychologists, information officers and research officers, who are also mainly located within central directorates.

TELLIT01

To be honest there seems to be little 2 way communication between the DWP and the unions. DWP briefings will say something along the lines of "There has been discussion with the unions" which translates as we told the union what we are going to do! The union has little or no strength in pay negotiation for example. Where local reps can and do help, in my experience, is where local staff issues aren't being handled properly.

barbarawright

Why not ask around and find out who your nearest steward is? It's best r (IMO) to be in a union with local representation.