is it worth joining a union?

bugslet

scd3scd4 wrote: »

You will be doing nothing of the sort where I work. The management would not meet you and Union members would decide for you. lol

I have a somewhat 70s view of unions, which may be outdated, but being caught up in violence as a seven year old, leaves a formidable imprint.

But for me what it boils down to is that I'm not a joiner of anything, I'm not a belonger of anything. To explain that, I would never get married because I don't like the joining thing, I don't have family because I don't like being part of anything, which includes my extended family that I wouldn't know if I fell over them. I don't belong to any groups or societies. I run my own business because I like to be the one that does things, I'm very independent, I like to look after things myself as much as possible or hire in on my terms. I'm just not a belonger or team type person. I can't change my personality!

scd3scd4

bugslet wrote: »

I have a somewhat 70s view of unions, which may be outdated, but being caught up in violence as a seven year old, leaves a formidable imprint.

But for me what it boils down to is that I'm not a joiner of anything, I'm not a belonger of anything. To explain that, I would never get married because I don't like the joining thing, I don't have family because I don't like being part of anything, which includes my extended family that I wouldn't know if I fell over them. I don't belong to any groups or societies. I run my own business because I like to be the one that does things, I'm very independent, I like to look after things myself as much as possible or hire in on my terms. I'm just not a belonger or team type person. I can't change my personality!

That's fine but a very different reason for not joining a union. You don't represent the majority.


I also can not help being annoyed at life's takers. I once had to have a word with two members who have stopped there contributions without informing the reps but were still trying to come to meetings and wanted to vote!!

Manxman_in_exile

john22 wrote: »

Well I can't change history and I wouldn't want to as I was very happy with the 17 years of work that I got from the 2 companies.

Well that's good - and I suspect it actually reflects the experience of most non-unionised employees. There are good employers out there and they want to deal fairly with their staff whether in a union or not.


But there also appear to be some "not so good" employers who don't care about their staff. If I were in that unfortunate position (and I never have been really) I would appreciate the support of being in a union.


Others here have drawn the analogy with insurance. If you never make a claim was it a waste of money? Well, you'll never know until you do make a claim.

ohreally

scd3scd4 wrote: »

but were still trying to come to meetings and wanted to vote!!

A show of cards sorts that out.

Manxman_in_exile

bugslet wrote: »

I have a somewhat 70s view of unions, which may be outdated, but being caught up in violence as a seven year old, leaves a formidable imprint.

But for me what it boils down to is that I'm not a joiner of anything, I'm not a belonger of anything. To explain that, I would never get married because I don't like the joining thing, I don't have family because I don't like being part of anything, which includes my extended family that I wouldn't know if I fell over them. I don't belong to any groups or societies. I run my own business because I like to be the one that does things, I'm very independent, I like to look after things myself as much as possible or hire in on my terms. I'm just not a belonger or team type person. I can't change my personality!

Yes- I understand what you mean about the 70s. Many people voted for Margaret Thatcher precisely because they felt that unions had become too powerful and obstructive. I'm not sure I agree with that point of view, but I'd have to accept it was a valid take on what had been happening.


I am no fan of Margaret Thatcher, but my wife always suggests to me that she may never had been elected but for the "winter of discontent" etc.


Anyway - I got interested in this thread because the OP said that they "didn't care for unions or what they do".


What do unions "do" that the OP doesn't care for? And why join one now?

scd3scd4

ohreally wrote: »

A show of cards sorts that out.

Not if they get a Union card and then cancel in the same year. Most pay monthly not yearly.


Plus, I am also not paid and not a ticket inspector. I work from trust, respect and honesty.


I ask for a current union list from head office and worked it out from there but that can take a while to update. To add and remove members .can take a few months.

bugslet

scd3scd4 wrote: »

That's fine but a very different reason for not joining a union. You don't represent the majority.


I also can not help being annoyed at life's takers. I once had to have a word with two members who have stopped there contributions without informing the reps but were still trying to come to meetings and wanted to vote!!

Well obviously I don't, there doesn't seem to be that many people like me, unless we are avoiding each other. Which we probably are.:p. Maybe I should we up a club for people who don't like to belong to groups..... Maybe not!

I understand your comment about takers, but I've no idea about a realistic solution. If someone dislikes unions, the only way is a closed shop and coercion really gets my back up.

It's all academic to me, never worked at a place where unions have had any input, and I can't see me ever working for the large organisations where they are more likely to be found.

ohreally

Bugslet, consider this, your guys decide to join a trade union, the union then decides to apply for statutory recognition, what do you do at this point?

https://www.gov.uk/trade-union-recognition-employers/statutory-recognition

ohreally

scd3scd4 wrote: »

Not if they get a Union card and then cancel in the same year. Most pay monthly not yearly.

I remember the days before check-off, the shop steward would collect membership dues every payday. Members couldn't drop off the radar as easily.

bugslet

ohreally wrote: »

Bugslet, consider this, your guys decide to join a trade union, the union then decides to apply for statutory recognition, what do you do at this point?

https://www.gov.uk/trade-union-recognition-employers/statutory-recognition

TL,DR version.

Fine. Won't make any difference to me.

Longer version.

Well as stated before, if other people want to be in a union, it's a free world. It's me personally that wouldn't join.

To be honest though I'm not much of a negotiator. I make my mind up and that's it. Customer once wanted to work on one year contracts and sprung that on me at a meeting, I know that would not be good for the business so it was an instant no. I would have walked from one year, commercially it was ridiculous.

So I'm not sure how it would work, negotiation with a union. I decide on say 2.5%, union should agree because I've always been fair on my pay increases. But say they wanted 3% - it wouldn't happen. I know what I can afford.

I know the above will sound bad to you, but there are artic drivers by me that are on less than my van drivers. It's important, very important to me that my staff are happy, Which is why they literally say they've never had a job like this. So I must be doing something right!