Joining a union.

wanting_help

Hi everyone,

Thanks in advance for reading this.

I am going to join a union, I would
Like the security of having them on my side.

However I'm unsure which one would be best suited for me, any suggestions or help would be appreciated. I don't know what to look for when joining a union.

I live in Northern Ireland and work in the retail industry full time.

Thanks again.


Any suggestions are welcome.

JulieElizabeth

USDAW


https://www.usdaw.org.uk/

steveymp

Having been a union member for 25 years paying over £10 a month I would seriously suggest not bothering Thats over £3000 shelled out and nothing to show for it.

Unions these days are 100% toothless especially in the retail sector.

joefizz

steveymp wrote: »

Having been a union member for 25 years paying over £10 a month I would seriously suggest not bothering Thats over £3000 shelled out and nothing to show for it.

Unions these days are 100% toothless especially in the retail sector.

And to give an opposite view, having paid out more than a 10 a month for more than 25 years (including more than half that outside the industry the union represents).
The fee covered free legal cover (used to pursue a high five figure damages claim successfully, not a penny extra paid by me, all covered by the union).
Access to free legal helpline for things other than work related (used a couple of times).
400 quid a month sickness benefit for the first 6 months off work when I broke my leg.
discounted insurances (which I only used a couple of times but for 2 years the savings were more than my subscriptions).
discounted travel benefits (again only used a couple of times).

Most people wouldnt have used any of the above and I was in an unfortunate position a couple of times but its nice to know they helped out when I really needed it, which is really what a union is for in the first place and why I continue to pay monthly dues even though Ive been out of the industry longer than I was in it.
Again your mileage may vary but just to put a different perspective on it, of course check any benefits your prospective union may offer.

zaax

steveymp wrote: »

Having been a union member for 25 years paying over £10 a month I would seriously suggest not bothering Thats over £3000 shelled out and nothing to show for it.

Unions these days are 100% toothless especially in the retail sector.

Do you insure your house?

steveymp

zaax wrote: »

Do you insure your house?

Yes, because home insurance is useful

I know it's horses for courses when it comes to unions, construction industry etc.... it is good to have the extra assurances and indeed insurances a union can provide.

Public service unions however are chocolate teapots They give up too easily and constantly complain they are overworked and haven't time to listen to or help the people that actually pay their wage ?

mamabuddah

You don't happen to work for "The Range" by any chance...lol

wanting_help wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Thanks in advance for reading this.

I am going to join a union, I would
Like the security of having them on my side.

However I'm unsure which one would be best suited for me, any suggestions or help would be appreciated. I don't know what to look for when joining a union.

I live in Northern Ireland and work in the retail industry full time.

Thanks again.


Any suggestions are welcome.

montyrebel

fellow retail worker here, don't, they only line their own pockets

FUNKYDADDIO

No real power in retail anymore, I`d save my money and ask advice of colleagues and friends..

[Deleted User]

Absolutely useless in the retail sector and in the case of USDAW, sitting in the pockets of the big retailers who collect their subs for them on their behalf every month. They wouldn't want to rock the boat and risk this revenue stream dry up.

USDAW = Useless Seven Days A Week.

jetboy

Unions are only as good as the members that fund them. if the retail sector representation is ineffective then its members have allowed it to become so. There are plenty of industries and other sectors that tell a different story. I assisted a friend last year with a discrimination issue involving a large international company that frankly should've known better. He had no union membership and ultimately had to pay for a solicitor. Union membership would've saved at least 10K there. Most worryingly was the realisation that a lot of N.I based companies have no real clue about employment law.