Is it worth being in a union?

gf3_3

I pay £11 a month to be in a union. But I am starting to think this is a waste of money. If my company wants to sack me they will. I don't think the union has any teeth any more. Just wondered if other money savers have found any benefits in belonging to a union. Useful or useless.

A_Nice_Englishman

I am in a union and look upon it as "insurance" . For example, if my employer attempted to unfairly dismiss me or an accusation was made against me I would have access to free expert advice and representation.

The union also negotiates pay rises and other improvrements to terms and conditions for all employees and I feel it's only fair to contribute to the union as I benefit from the improvements.

Finally, members of my union get all sorts of discounts on products and services (e.g. 15% off at Homebase next weekend). These can easily save more than my union subs, making membership effectively free.

mountainchrisriver

Suppose it also depends on what your occupation is...

gf3_3

I work for bt ( openreach ) I have heard of some one being sacked recently for using a cherry picker with out a safety man on the ground. I feel this should not have been a sack able offense. don't know if he was in the union or not but get the feeling that if bt wants to get rid of you they will.

jonesMUFCforever

It will always be the way that you think that you don't need a union.
The time that you will need help it won't be there.

£11 is nothing. If you cancel I think you will regret your decision especially if you work for someone like BT!

Butlers1982

I used to be in a union when i was working for my LA and its not worth the money in my opinion.
They are just a bunch of nosey nobodies. I got in some disciplinary trouble and what i told my union rep, he relayed that straight back.

When it came down to it they said that i had less that 90% chance of winning my case so they wouldnt come to court.

Thats only my opinion but I think that union i was in was full of absolute nobodies who thought they were the most important people in the world.
Id gladly like to grab atleast 4 of them and do some damage.

I mean imagine i had an arguement to my case that i had discussed with my union rep "in confidence" yet he had told them what i was going to say so they were ready.

I hate unions.(as you can tell!)

mountainchrisriver

I am a teaching union rep and totally agree with ejones999... unfortunately, it is akin to professional suicide not to be a member of a union as a teacher, especially in this day and age... can't speak for your occupation though...

C_Ronaldo

£11 a month, im sure it would only cost me £1 a month to join my union lol

tomstickland

The idea of a union isn't too bad, but it often becomes a self serving institution with an inflated opinion of its importance. So a lot depends on your relationship with the employer and your opinion of the union.

elite_2

How powerfull is the union in your work place?

I'm a member at my work as there are a substantial number of staff signed up, so can yield quite a lot of weight.

My OH isn't a member at hers (there are only two member signed up in the entire manchester branch:mad:) - so not really worth it

Of course if she joined they would be a little bit stronger...

gf3_3

I think a lot of people are in the union. we get little feed back on what goes on. it's all rumor and hear say. just wondered if anybody can say they saved their !!!! or if they were totally useless. after a divorce £11 seems a lot of money. it only costs me £20 to feed myself for a month. I am trying with the aid of this site to cut my out going to the core so i can have some money to enjoy myself. i reckon i have save £4 a month by getting a gas tumble dryer instead of electric this is an easy £11. but is it a cut to far?