Unison - joining unions?

outlaw777

Hi is it worth joining a union like Unison? I have the opportunity to join however dont know if its worth paying the monthly fee please advise?

lincroft1710

Yes, worth joining

outlaw777

What are the main benefits of joining?

lincroft1710

Just read some threads on this board of where the first question asked of MSErs who have problems with their employers is "are you in a union?". Unions offer support and advice to their members. And they do try to negotiate wage rises with employers

shiprob195

I joined Unison about 6 years ago. Within a year or so of joining I needed advise regarding my employer. They sent a representative and they sat with me and went through the problem and accompanied me to 3 meetings. 

Earlier this year they have advised me on my redundancy from the same company. 

I would recommend Unison. 

TELLIT01

For work related issues they can be very useful, assuming they have decent union reps.  For negotiating wages possibly as much use as a chocolate teapot these days.  Certainly my experience of Civil Service unions is they were big on talk and much smaller on actually achieving anything.  They regularly pulled union members out on strike over wages and never achieved anything.

Sncjw

Have a look at the unison website.

There's things like. Legal help wills and such forth 

Savvy_Sue

Being able to include the phrase "I shall have to discuss this with my union representative" in any negotiations with your employer is priceless! 

I don't bandy it around lightly, but it does help.

I also got some basic advice on a will for which I was executor FOC. And attended several free training sessions. At one of them, I won a weekend stay at Croyde Bay, which was very pleasant.

But also, what line of work are you in? For anything which brings you into contact with children or adults where there's the least chance of an allegation of poor behaviour on your part, I'd strongly recommend it.

[Deleted User]

outlaw777 said:

Hi is it worth joining a union like Unison? I have the opportunity to join however dont know if its worth paying the monthly fee please advise?

Never been in a union in 38 years of working and no desire to join one now but If you feel you may lack negotiation skills regarding issues with a manager or supervisor then it could come in very handy. 

antonic

I have been a PCS member for 33 years and in that time I have needed Union help 3 times , an issue over long term sick caused by work (solved to my satisfaction), then an issue when I was accused (and cleared) of Gross Misconduct and finally in a disciplinary (I was gulity).
The last one I was invited to a meeting with no mention of disciplinary consequences and was able to say the phrase "I shall have to discuss this with my union representative" - meeting postponed.
The choice is yours as to wether you think the subs are value for money - in my case they are !.

Teapot55

What @Savvy_Sue said. 

If you’re short of money, do your best to afford house and/or contents insurance. After that, union subscriptions.