Is it worth being in a union?

sassylaurie

Can you go after another Union members union card?

Here is the situation, Union employee had been written up by management for not following through on tasks given by group leader. Employee is claiming that he asked for help on the job and that is why he did not do the task all night. That employee then filed a grievance on the write up. Management then asked the group leader who is also union on shift about the grievance, since his name was mentioned on the grievance, and gave the facts of the event in question from his perspective of how things happened that night. Which were that the employee in question sat with his feet up on a table all night, after he finished a different job that also had been assigned, and then did nothing about the other task that was given to him. The group leader also did not have a foreman who is management on shift who could have taken care of the situation. Group leader did not call in management either to take care of the situation in the middle of the night. He figured that the employee would have to awnser for his own actions, when management realized that the job in question had not even been started. I'm sure that the reason that the employee lost his grievance is not entirely by what the group leader said, but it did not help his case any either. Now that employee is claiming that he can go after the group leaders union card.

Union memeber is also best friends with the union president.

Any thoughts on the situation?

Here's a recap!

1. Employee was asked to do a job, he didn’t do it.
2. Management disciplined him, employee filed a grievance.
3. Management asked group leader, who is also union, for his version of what happened, group leader gave it and it showed the worker didn’t do his job – grievance was dismissed.
4. Employee really mad now and trying to get back at the group leader now, so he’s shooting his mouth off about how he can take away the group leader’s union card.

pboae

I was once a member of Unison, I ended up on strike as a result (vote was taken before I had started work there). They were all talk about support before it happened (nobody actually exepected it to reach the stage of strike) but when it came to the crunch Unison screwed us over far worse than the management ever did. They tried to stop us getting a decent level of strike pay, they manouvered and delayed to stop us getting other departments out on strike, etc. Reps were regularly out socialising with managers.

Once it was all over, Unison had no interest in the bullying or intimidation that went on once when people were back at work.

I believe that unions have to be run as a democracy, and if you join you are obliged to go along with the majority, even if that means going on strike. I would never go on strike again, and I would never join a Union again.

If I ever needed representation regarding disciplinary action, etc, my money would be better spent on a solicitor or arbitrator who was there to do their best for me, and not just there to save money for the head office.

ben500

Unions can be good they can be bad, if bad then sit for election and change from within.

As a union branch sec for 4yrs I never once presided over a strike, I fought tooth and nail for members on principles I would have happily succumbed to had I been fighting my own corner, I felt compelled to do better for my members than I would for myself, for fear of being seen or being perceived as a ladder climber as many reps are, my integrity was paramount irrespective of the possible consequences for myself as an individual, I took stick that would have otherwise have been directed at individual members and paid for their transgressions at the hands of management, however I loved every minute of it.

Frankly I look back and cannot see a more productive time in my life (too long for comfort), a lot of companies will use scurrilous practices to rid themselves of an undesirable employee (face doesn't fit is usually the qualification or you have managed to upset one of the lackey's) .

Employees need protection from unscrupulous employers (That statement is not a generalisation I have worked for some excellent ones) a good union rep will view his position akin to a solicitor or lawyer in that whatever your measure of guilt his or her aim will be to mitigate the damage and punishment to the individual, to withhold any information detrimental to your case but within the realms of the law, with a good rep the service can be priceless it can protect your job, your reputation, your career and your integrity.


£11 your getting a bargain.

Having said all of the above, I was however in the privelleged position of having 100% support from my members without it I would have been as much use as a chocolate compass in the desert. With it I was invincible.

ben500

sassylaurie wrote: »

Can you go after another Union members union card?

Here is the situation, Union employee had been written up by management for not following through on tasks given by group leader. Employee is claiming that he asked for help on the job and that is why he did not do the task all night. That employee then filed a grievance on the write up. Management then asked the group leader who is also union on shift about the grievance, since his name was mentioned on the grievance, and gave the facts of the event in question from his perspective of how things happened that night. Which were that the employee in question sat with his feet up on a table all night, after he finished a different job that also had been assigned, and then did nothing about the other task that was given to him. The group leader also did not have a foreman who is management on shift who could have taken care of the situation. Group leader did not call in management either to take care of the situation in the middle of the night. He figured that the employee would have to awnser for his own actions, when management realized that the job in question had not even been started. I'm sure that the reason that the employee lost his grievance is not entirely by what the group leader said, but it did not help his case any either. Now that employee is claiming that he can go after the group leaders union card.

Union memeber is also best friends with the union president.

Any thoughts on the situation?

Here's a recap!

1. Employee was asked to do a job, he didn’t do it.
2. Management disciplined him, employee filed a grievance.
3. Management asked group leader, who is also union, for his version of what happened, group leader gave it and it showed the worker didn’t do his job – grievance was dismissed.
4. Employee really mad now and trying to get back at the group leader now, so he’s shooting his mouth off about how he can take away the group leader’s union card.

Ok I have had a couple of brandies and read through your post just once so here's a reply from the hip.
On the face of it the group leader would indeed have his membership at risk on the basis he has breached his fidutiary duty to the member, in that he has provided incriminatory statements not required under legislation to do so. Under Trades union rules his position as group leader should not undermine his role as employee representative, he is required to carry out his duty as group leader without detriment to a fellow member.

His request for help should have been reviewed and responded to, this should also be reveiwed at any disciplinary hearing and if refused the refusal be justified, ie was the refusal conveyed and explained to the individual and an explanation how the task can be carried out without the request of help IYSWIM.

Employee needs to sfu and seek advice, he can seek advice from the union as legal advice will be encompassed within the dues, he should also be able to seek "extraordinary advice" on the grounds of conflict of interest insomuch as the union cannot possibly represent both parties impartially, this would mean an outside legal influence on the employees part but paid for by the union (get a copy of the union handbook/manual) and seek out the relevant text.

Your friend needs to have a very hard look at the union rule book which they must supply on request if you are a fully affiliated member.

If the union fails to provide a rule book on request then contact TGWU and give them a brief outline.

darich

i always thought union was a waste of money....................
until i was passed over for a job opportunity.
Got my union involved after my boss told me to wait for the next one and the union contacted personnel. It turns out personnel didn't know what salary i was on and therefore didn't notice the mistake of me being passed over.
That opportunity was for a 6 month post but after the union contacted personnel and my managers, i was regraded PERMANENTLY to the next scale up giving me a pay rise of around £500 per year for the next 3-4 years.

All thanks to the union because without them, personnel wouldn't have found out and managers wouldn't have been spoken to.

Definitely worth it.

IFA

The company I work for has stated, in their words, "we do not recognise unions" I later on found out that a certain amount of employees need to be members of the union for the company I work for to recognise them?

Anyone else heard of this and how many need to start up the union, or is this all b0llox and I can join a union anytime?

Only asking because I havent had a payrise in 2 years ( some colleagues I know 5 years) even though they are making record profits etc etc..

Another company I know of, I've heard people always getting 5% payrises AND 5% bonuses every year) with a union (AMICUS i think)

Any thoughts?

Thanks

IFA

ben500

IFA wrote: »

The company I work for has stated, in their words, "we do not recognise unions" I later on found out that a certain amount of employees need to be members of the union for the company I work for to recognise them?

Anyone else heard of this and how many need to start up the union, or is this all b0llox and I can join a union anytime?

Only asking because I haven't had a payrise in 2 years ( some colleagues I know 5 years) even though they are making record profits etc etc..

Another company I know of, I've heard people always getting 5% payrises AND 5% bonuses every year) with a union (AMICUS i think)

Thanks

IFA

As far as I know AMICUS is now the largest Trades union in Britain, not a particular favourite of mine through local experience, but that does not condemn it on a national level in my opinion.

Your company does not have to recognise a union for it to be effective for you, as for a certain amount of employees being members before recognition that is based on fact although somewhat misleading, most Trades union will require you to enlist support from at least eight fellow employees before allowing you to set up a branch, however if you are the only one interested then so long as the union normally represents workers in your sector they would usually have to give YOU a reason for rejecting any application, speak with TGWU for advice on setting up a Trades union branch within your workplace or on which union to approach.

At one time Trades union had far too much power, sadly perhaps those days are gone, but the balance is slowly being redressed, if for no other reason you should join for the legal advice available to you, not just for employment issues but just about any eventuality you can think of.

cupofassam

Yes. Join a union. The money you spend is the cheapest insurance you can buy. The benefits can be large, especially in pay deals. The protection you have can be significant. And the value of offering and gaining solidarity with co-workers is priceless.

seven-day-weekend

gf3 wrote: »

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.

The help from the NUT was invaluable when my husband had a mental breakdown, and then again in negotiating a suitable part-time contract for him when his health was again at risk and he felt he could no longer manage full-time teaching. They also helped him with claiming benefits while he was out of teaching entirely for two years due to illness.

He saw the same guy all the way through and he was a regional advisor, not local. We found it pays to go as high as possible. This guy he saw was absolutely marvellous.

So yes, joining a union is a good insurance.

seven-day-weekend

I don't know if everybody knows this, but you can join a Union and ask to join the 'non-political fund' ( i.e. none of your subscription goes to a political party), and this makes your subscription a tiny bit cheaper as you don't pay this part of it.

I did this when I was a member of UNISON for ten years.