is it worth joining a union?

scd3scd4

ohreally wrote: »

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.

I understand but things are very different today. Hence my views on people talking about the 70 and 80s.


Please don't misunderstand me. I don't have a problem if people don't want to be members. I think we have around 95% But they have to understand. I will not talk about Union matters with them. I wont take there suggesting, discuss the pay deal or give advise. A few years ago we changed our start and finish times...........I have no idea if they like it or not. ;-]

agrinnall

john22 wrote: »

I didn't say you can't have a union I said not all company's has a union in it.

So why bring it up in the first place, it's completely irrelevant. The answer of course, is that you tried to use it to bolster your argument, but failed miserably.

System

agrinnall wrote: »

So why bring it up in the first place, it's completely irrelevant. The answer of course, is that you tried to use it to bolster your argument, but failed miserably.

Eh because I was answering post #62 on why someone wouldn't think of joining a union. First 17 years of my working life was with companies that has no unions. Never crossed my mind to join a union.

Oh by the way this is not an argument:rotfl:

sangie595

john22 wrote: »

Eh because I was answering post #62 on why someone wouldn't think of joining a union. First 17 years of my working life was with companies that has no unions. Never crossed my mind to join a union.

Oh by the way this is not an argument:rotfl:

Companies don't have unions. Employees have unions. Every worker is entitled, by law, to join a union. The fact that it didn't cross your mind to join a union doesn't mean that you couldn't join one. One assumes that most adults know that unions exist, and a broad idea of their role. So there is no excuse for saying that someone doesn't know they can join a union. That's like saying that you didn't know that you needed insurance to drive a car - claiming ignorance of something is not a valid excuse.

People have the right to join, or not join, a union. And I'm all for that choice. I'm also all for not giving non union members any of the benefits negotiated for by the union. That, to me, is a simple and fair position.

System

sangie595 wrote: »

Companies don't have unions. Employees have unions. Every worker is entitled, by law, to join a union. The fact that it didn't cross your mind to join a union doesn't mean that you couldn't join one. One assumes that most adults know that unions exist, and a broad idea of their role. So there is no excuse for saying that someone doesn't know they can join a union. That's like saying that you didn't know that you needed insurance to drive a car - claiming ignorance of something is not a valid excuse.

People have the right to join, or not join, a union. And I'm all for that choice. I'm also all for not giving non union members any of the benefits negotiated for by the union. That, to me, is a simple and fair position.

I did not say i could not join a union. As I have said in this thread I have had no reason to join a union throughout my working life and I fully support anyone who wants to join a union.

It would have been silly of me to pay into a union for the first 17 years of my working life when no union was represented in the companies.

sangie595

john22 wrote: »

It would have been silly of me to pay into a union for the first 17 years of my working life when no union was represented in the companies.

I take it back. I had assumed that the average adult had the intelligence to work out that companies do not "have" unions, and that ununionised companies can, oddly, unfairly dismiss employees or otherwise act in a way that means the employee needs their union. Clearly that is not the case. Just because in hindsight you now know that you didn't "need" a union (whatever that is supposed to mean) is not a reason to not join a union. That is exactly the point of the whole thread - the OP didn't "need" a union, so they didn't join one, and now they need one it is too late to join! This is exactly the same thing as me saying that I don't "need" house insurance because my house isn't going to burn down, or get burgled - it hasn't been so far so why bother? The point is that I have insurance for if it happens- my money is not wasted because it hasn't happened.

System

sangie595 wrote: »

I take it back. I had assumed that the average adult had the intelligence to work out that companies do not "have" unions, and that ununionised companies can, oddly, unfairly dismiss employees or otherwise act in a way that means the employee needs their union. Clearly that is not the case. Just because in hindsight you now know that you didn't "need" a union (whatever that is supposed to mean) is not a reason to not join a union. That is exactly the point of the whole thread - the OP didn't "need" a union, so they didn't join one, and now they need one it is too late to join! This is exactly the same thing as me saying that I don't "need" house insurance because my house isn't going to burn down, or get burgled - it hasn't been so far so why bother? The point is that I have insurance for if it happens- my money is not wasted because it hasn't happened.

What it means is I have worked 17 years in two companies that had no union representative and 15 years in two companies that did and at no time did I feel I had to join a union. I have worked for these companies and always had a good working relationship with my bosses and enjoyed the jobs I have done.

System

sangie595 wrote: »

I take it back. I had assumed that the average adult had the intelligence to work out that companies do not "have" unions, and that ununionised companies can, oddly, unfairly dismiss employees or otherwise act in a way that means the employee needs their union. Clearly that is not the case. Just because in hindsight you now know that you didn't "need" a union (whatever that is supposed to mean) is not a reason to not join a union. That is exactly the point of the whole thread - the OP didn't "need" a union, so they didn't join one, and now they need one it is too late to join! This is exactly the same thing as me saying that I don't "need" house insurance because my house isn't going to burn down, or get burgled - it hasn't been so far so why bother? The point is that I have insurance for if it happens- my money is not wasted because it hasn't happened.

I would never use house insurance as an example as why to join a union. When I work for a company its not just the actual "job" part that is important to me but the relationships with the people and if I ever felt that i was being taken advantage of or had issues then I would work to resolve those issues. However if the issues could not be resolved then the relationship breaks down and I will move onto another job.

When it comes to house insurance I did not have a relationship with the faulty pipe going into my shower unit or the storm force winds that damaged my roof so I have always had house insurance.

gingerdad

Found unions to be hopeless.

My wife a member of the NUT and absolutely hopeless when help needed.

Me I was a member of the GMB for a bit when working for an airline. All the managed to do was delay a pay rise for a year arguing. Still got the same payirse the Comapny had offered in the first place

For me barge pole and don't touch.

I also totally disagree with thier politics

DavidF

"What can a union do for me".......
I'm afraid you are thinking about it the wrong way. It should read - "What can I do for the union" If all that you can do is pay membership dues and vote for this that and the other then fine that's your choice you will get the "insurance" that your membership dues provides as well as any discounts from partners of the union ect ect ect.
IF on the other hand you and your fellow workers take the union and use it properly then you would open up a whole mainly unknown world where you may be entitled to free education/upskilling health and safety training and a whole host of other benefits that being part of a collective (which is what a union is - a collection of your co workers).
I personally have had at least £2000 worth of "free" courses funded by the union over the last 3 years. Funded by the EU no less. The big surprise is coming.......I am a SELF EMPLOYED electrician.....Yep still pay my dues and turn up at the odd meeting especially in matters relating to my trade that may have a national influence. They obviously couldn't help me from being laid off as I am SE BUT they have in the past assisted in getting us better pay even though we were all SE but also we were in the union too so we could call on them to mediate and negotiate for things like money/safety/terms and conditions.
Unions do not take members out on strike. Members vote and the result of the vote then dictates weather any industrial action is taken. Strikes are the last line of defense - The right to withdraw your labour is a very important right and was won though many pints of blood.....and it is a right that sadly many people the world over could only dream of such is the enslavement of far too much of the human race.
Finally if you think the people running the union in your workplace are rubbish or whatever....Then put yourself up for selection when the time comes and change things to YOUR liking with your fellow workers votes and approval.