Is it worth being in a Union these days?

John_G_Jones

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Perfectly valid question. The question wasn't about what the unions have done in the past it's what value they have to the OP now.


However, the list of what the unions have done was somewhat selective too. No mention of bringing the country to its knees with the 3 day week in the 70s. No mention of restrictive practices which made so many industries uncompetitive and destroyed much of the motor industry and other heavy engineering.

Indeed, on both points. Evidence of what they did to get us here is irrelevant to what they can do now, and they have been responsible for a huge number of negative things.

Striking over the sacking of dangerous staff, refusing any flexibility an so destroying some of our industries, insisting on equal pay for useless staff so driving out the better ones to non-unionised companies, the list is long.

LilElvis

lulu650 wrote: »

But of course anyone is entitled to a duty solicitor FOC which would also take one phone call that the police arrange.

But the duty solicitor wouldn't come to your home and go through the allegations with you in advance of the interview at the police station.

ohreally

TELLIT01 wrote: »

There is little excuse for taking on a job and then doing it badly.

Sometimes issues only become apparent when you are at the coalface and sometimes individuals may lose the will to live dealing with unrealistic expectations from members, constantly fighting with management, enduring being constantly undermined be others - the list can seem extensive and some are more adept than others when having to deal with this as well as the day job.

Remember these individuals are not employed to be stewards and can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the scale of the task.

Les79

FIRSTTIMER wrote: »

Sometime you want a fresh approach to the question. But clearly negativity ensues as ever

I feel a bit de-motivated in providing a comprehensive reply if you asked the question once before.


What's to say that a third identical post won't pop up in 2 months time?

Savvy_Sue

lulu650 wrote: »

But of course anyone is entitled to a duty solicitor FOC which would also take one phone call that the police arrange.

LilElvis wrote: »

But the duty solicitor wouldn't come to your home and go through the allegations with you in advance of the interview at the police station.

Nor would the duty solicitor necessarily be representing you in court, nor would they automatically attend any disciplinary meetings at your place of work.

It horrifies me how many of my colleagues (working with chaotic adults) are not in a union. Some of them don't have a clue what a trade union does ...

TELLIT01

When I worked in the Civil Service many of my colleagues left the union because they felt they were achieving nothing.

MarkTaylorCA

I would say it is waste of money. I have never got anything back for my money!

Comms69

MarkTaylorCA wrote: »

I would say it is waste of money. I have never got anything back for my money!

Ofcourse you haven't.


It's like insurance, until you need it; it seems a waste...


Just ask any of the 1.3m NHS employee all benefiting from enhance pay over the next 24 months...

jonesMUFCforever

MarkTaylorCA wrote: »

I would say it is waste of money. I have never got anything back for my money!

Mine gives me preferential rates on accident insurance and income protection. I get a free will written and free annual travel insurance.

That's all before several of my friends have won cases against my employer by representing them in disciplinary cases not to mention fighting for pay rises etc etc.

OK I have never had to use them myself either but I'm glad to have them by my side should the need arise.

Savvy_Sue

MarkTaylorCA wrote: »

I would say it is waste of money. I have never got anything back for my money!

Comms69 wrote: »

Ofcourse you haven't.


It's like insurance, until you need it; it seems a waste...


Just ask any of the 1.3m NHS employee all benefiting from enhance pay over the next 24 months...

And did you hear about the bank employee who was incredibly rude to someone who phoned up asking for a loan to study a particular kind of nutrition? Apparently they're not dealing direct with customers any more: I can't believe they'd have got that outcome (rather than dismissal for gross misconduct) without strong union support.

And, historically, I knew someone facing a disciplinary because they left a tobacco pouch at an off-site staff meeting, senior manager picked it up and decided it contained not quite straight tobacco, but returned it when told "I left my tobacco pouch behind." Then the employer decided to go for a disciplinary, which collapsed the moment the union official asked "How do you know it wasn't straight tobacco in the pouch?"

I wouldn't have wanted to be facing either of those situations without the union at my side. Although to be fair I like to think I've got more sense than to get myself into either of those situations.