How to find a union

74jax

My company doesn't have any information on unions. How do I decide who to go with?

I've goggled a little and done a search for a union in my field but it didn't bring one up.

Are they the same? Does of matter which you join? Do they vary in price lots?

Any advice at all appreciated.

lincroft1710

Without knowing your field of work, it is difficult to help

dancing_star

https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-union

searches for unions aligned to your industry

74jax

dancing_star wrote: »

https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-union

searches for unions aligned to your industry

Excellent thank you.

What are the main things I should look for in a union? If my industry brings up say 3 unions, would each be pretty similar?

aife

talk to your colleagues.
if you want to be in a union so you can be represented at work and not just to access corporate/legal services you need to liaise with your workmates

74jax

aife wrote: »

talk to your colleagues.
if you want to be in a union so you can be represented at work and not just to access corporate/legal services you need to liaise with your workmates

I've asked all I work with, around 25 and none of them are in one. We are based throughout the UK, however we don't talk with other regions so it would be a bit odd me emailing others out of the blue asking it.


I didn't know if different unions offered different things and there was a kind of 'union ranking' so to speak, ie these are good unions/avoid these at all costs.


I don't want to start paying into one that would be on the avoid at all costs side.


Other companies I've worked at had Union Reps working among us, so you just signed up to the one they held talks about but nothing like that here.


It's strange trying to find out information you know nothing about (as you don't know what to look for) if that makes sense.

AubreyMac

I have found my union (Unison) to be hit and miss. The first rep I had was brilliant. But then he left for another job.


When I next needed a rep, getting hold of one was incredibly difficult as they were all too busy and non responsive. I know someone who felt let down by them, made a complaint and got all her membership money refunded.

takman

74jax wrote: »

I've asked all I work with, around 25 and none of them are in one...

Considering that none of the other employees are not in a Union i would say don't bother joining one. In my experience they just create an unnecessary barrier between the management and the employees and increase the amount of time it takes to solve problems.

sangie595

takman wrote: »

Considering that none of the other employees are not in a Union i would say don't bother joining one. In my experience they just create an unnecessary barrier between the management and the employees and increase the amount of time it takes to solve problems.

That entirely depends on whether your employer wants to solve the problem- and what the solution is! If sacking you is their solution, then it's entirely true - much easier to do if you aren't in a union! Solves the employers problem. And that's all most of them care about - their problems, not yours.

Savvy_Sue

takman wrote: »

Considering that none of the other employees are not in a Union i would say don't bother joining one. In my experience they just create an unnecessary barrier between the management and the employees and increase the amount of time it takes to solve problems.

I'd disagree: I'm not in a highly unionised workplace although I know one of the others in my team is also in the union. And generally my employer is a good one.

However, it felt very empowering on one occasion when they proposed making a change to my t&c with which I disagreed. I set out why I disagreed, and was able to finish with something like "if you insist on implementing this change I will have to consult my union." I think that was the first they knew I was in one ...

Anyway, they backed down. I like to think it was the persuasive nature of my argument, but I don't think the union-in-the-background did any harm.

To the OP: if I put my work details into the union-finder, there's really only one which comes up. If you find several, it could be worth looking at their websites as they do have some 'member-only offers' - very few of which have been of any interest to me. However, I'd also look at recent news coverage, reports from their most recent congress, see what their local coverage in your area is like etc. Mine does seem to have an active local branch, in fact I'm going to a training day with them soon.