Trade Union Representation

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dcfc67
dcfc67 Posts: 399 Forumite
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in Redundancy & redundancy planning
Fist of all my apologies if something similar is on here.

Redundancy some want it most dread it.

i would encourage everybody who works for a firm which has a reasonable amount of employees where you have a voice if you all stick together.

If your in a union that's great, if not talk to fellow employees about you all joining one.

A quick search on google is a starting point for choosing the right one or speak to other people in a similar field of employment to see who they have for support.

One of you should then think about becoming a Rep and your employer has to give you paid time off for training.

Being in a union gives you a great deal of leverage and you can call on support for Regional Officers or legal teams if its justified.

I'm in Unite the Union.

We have 1.4 million members.

This is the biggest union in the UK.

whoever you choose, its a decision which could prove very valuable in the near future.

PS.

you carn't join a union and expect support if you have prior knowledge of redundancy before you sign up and pay your 1st monthly membership fee.

Unite basic membership for full time employees is £14.06

this includes lots of additional benefits.

If a group of you are thinging of joining PM me and i can offer you some advice which is certainly in your interests
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  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 32,746 Forumite
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    Anyone can join a union, they don't need colleagues to do so as well. Fees vary according to salary. No one needs to pm you to get information which is freely available.

    However the last time I checked (admittedly a few years ago) 50% of the workforce had to agree for the union to be recognised for negotiating purposes. And in our case that was throughout the whole organisation not my specific workplace. So not quite as straightforward as you make it sound.
    And some union reps are as much use as a chocolate teapot.
    I'm still a member, because I do want the backing if/when I need it. But as with everything there are pros and cons, and some areas are better than others.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • Peelerfart
    Peelerfart Posts: 2,177 Forumite
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    The OP is correct to a point, although the whole post sounds like a recruitment drive for unite.
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  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
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    Peelerfart wrote: »
    The OP is correct to a point, although the whole post sounds like a recruitment drive for unite.

    Ironic timing as I just cancelled my Unite membership through !!!! poor value for money IME.
  • Peelerfart
    Peelerfart Posts: 2,177 Forumite
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    custardy wrote: »
    Ironic timing as I just cancelled my Unite membership through !!!! poor value for money IME.

    One of the first things I did following my redundancy/retirement, was to cancel my unite membership. A very satisfying experience that was too, as well as fielding the follow up phone calls asking me to reconsider.

    Though I do believe that in a redundancy situation membership of a good union is well worth it.
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  • dcfc67
    dcfc67 Posts: 399 Forumite
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    I've only been in Unite for 3 years. i could see what was happening at work at as result i joined Unite after previously being in another union.
    The support was spot on and we got a result collectively.

    If anyone isn't happy with the support from a rep, go to your Regional Officer and bang on their door.

    It isn';t a recruitment drive, but if a group of you are thinking of joining then look at member benefits in great detail.

    one of you joins up, you then refer all your colleagues who have to use the special link and input your name and membership number.

    They make 3 months contributions and you then get a £25 love2shop gift card per referal.
  • ohreally
    ohreally Posts: 7,525 Forumite
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    dcfc67 wrote: »
    I'm in Unite the Union.

    Not an organisation I would join again. Used to be in EEPTU and subsequent mergers became Unite, wrapped it soon after due to operating culture.
    Don’t be a can’t, be a can.
  • Xbigman
    Xbigman Posts: 3,884 Forumite
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    I was a member when it was the TGWU. TGWU reps lobbied hard to stop the merger but didn't succeed. All the old approachable reps are gone whilst the new reps are elected by the same clique every couple of years.
    This year no one bothered to stand against the incumbents. Why waste your time when its a foregone conclusion. I'm NOT saying its rigged, just unwinnable outside the main clique. As a member of a small sub group in the workplace I might as well just chuck £140 down the toilet each year.

    Even given all the above I would recommend union membership in general. Even UNITE are better than nothing if you aren't good at standing up for yourself. But I am.



    Darren
    Xbigman's guide to a happy life.

    Eat properly
    Sleep properly
    Save some money
  • anamenottaken
    anamenottaken Posts: 4,198 Forumite
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    dcfc67 wrote: »
    It isn';t a recruitment drive, but if a group of you are thinking of joining then look at member benefits in great detail.

    one of you joins up, you then refer all your colleagues who have to use the special link and input your name and membership number.

    They make 3 months contributions and you then get a £25 love2shop gift card per referal.


    So have you posted on the section of this site which is for referrals?
  • dcfc67
    dcfc67 Posts: 399 Forumite
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    No,

    not interested in earning giftcards through referals.

    if you want to join as a group i just highlighted a point where an incenetive is there for the taking.
  • Peelerfart
    Peelerfart Posts: 2,177 Forumite
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    I too was a UNITE member by merger,first ISTC, then SIMA, both specialised. to one particular industry.
    During my redundancy all my pension related queries I made to UMITE were referred back to the pension trustees.
    Probably the correct thing to do but I didn't need to pay. £14 per month for that nugget,that I did myself anyway.

    I am not anti union,nor anti UNITE.

    With the caveat that Len McCluskey is an odious toad.

    In my opinion of course
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