James
|
Unions membershipIf you are in an organisation that has recognised unions, are you a member?
Do you find its worthwhile?
Would you recommend I join?
(it’d be either Unison or Prospect)
|
jema
|
I'd certainly recommend you join.
Union representation is important at the personal level, let alone the collective bargain level.
|
Jamanda
|
I'm in the NUT. You need to be in one of them simply as insurance in my job.
|
Penny
|
Having heard of the shocking way some close friends have been treated by employers in recent times, I wouldn't hesitate.
|
Rosemary Judy
|
My Union is also my professional association - very good value !
|
Jamanda
|
My professional association is another matter. I resent having to belong to the GCT or what ever they are called. Their stuff gets filed under B unopened.
|
Treacodactyl
|
I would say the places I've worked at the unions haven't been of much use at all. If anything they just created more divisions in the company; you had management, members of the union and non-members. I think a lot will depend on your place of work.
|
lassemista
|
Chocolate fireguards!!
|
Penny
|
| lassemista wrote: | | Chocolate fireguards!! |
Well possibly, unless you get falsely accused of sexual assault, or perhaps dismissed for stealing when nothing of the sort has happened 
|
jema
|
People can actually change their minds pretty rapidly when they find they need representation.
|
lassemista
|
I did - would have done better myself!
|
jema
|
One bad experience does not make a general case.
By and large a union rep will know all the procedural ins and outs and will make an awful lot of positive difference.
|
Chez
|
I belonged to UNISON and they were great when I was attempting to gracefully leave The Company That Cannot Be Named For Legal Reasons.
For the AV and Entertainment industry, BECTU is worth it, simply for the insurance.
|
bernie-woman
|
There isn't a union where I work but if there was I would definitely be a member of it - I was always a paid member of NATHFE when I taught in higher education 
|
woodsprite
|
Yep, I've been an equity member for 27 years and they have helped me out on numerous occasions.
|
pricey
|
I would be in one tomorrow if I could, and I know who I would like as my Rep 
The power and expertise these people have Is, well words cannot describe what they can do, trust me!
|
Snowball
|
I would say always join a union if you can. It is true that often the union is only as good as your rep is. If you've got a lousy rep, consider becoming the rep yourself, if you think you can do it.
I am a rep, and I have lost count of the number of times people have slagged the union off and wont join, then they get in trouble and are surprised when I wont represent them.
Also, most unions are fairly good for offering free legal advise for non work related stuff too.
I have also heard managers say, well we don't have to honour her request to change contracts, she's not in the union, or, we can make him shift departments, he's not a union member.
|
Aeolienne
|
I voted for the second option although TBH I've probably gained more out of my membership of the Civil Service Sports Club than Prospect. Then again I'm lucky not to have been in dire need of the union's services.
|
KILLITnGRILLIT
|
FBU and Unison in this household....... both good.
IMHO if you don`t like unions you better get to like the taste of shoe leather to get by.
.
|
wellington womble
|
My union membership is also my insurance, so it's useful in that respect. They are utterly rubbish on small day to day stuff, but I've heard they are very good at the big stuff - ie if someone sues you etc, etc. Spose that's better than the other way around.
|
Cathryn
|
Unfortunately I did have a lousy rep. I worked in a feminist collective and it kind of made him glaze over (in fear?  ). This is probably still a problem in rural areas if you work for a small (different to most) organisation.
And don't even go there Snowball. No!
However some get lucky and get Snowball so I can only recommend them and like WW it is when you are facing the big stuff that you need them.
|
James
|
the reason I ask is that myself & my partner are intending to reduce our hours to accommodate some child care when Fran returns to work after her maternity leave. We both work for the same employer
I've had mine agreed, but Fran has had hers refused. Its an extremely complex case. Suffice to say that she's a member of Unison and they've been brilliant. The rep is really on the ball, and considers it to be a case of indirect sex discrimination. Its not yet resolved, but yesterday Fran got a conciliatory letter from our employer (following a meeting between management, Unison & HR). Its not what we were asking for, but its a good building block to start discussions from.
I've never been in a union. If I didn't like what was happening, I changed jobs (I work in a field where demand outstrips supply of skills, so its reasonably easy to find a new job). But now I've got more to consider than just upping sticks and moving elsewhere, so I'm starting to think a Union would be useful....
|
lassemista
|
I was only really commenting on my own experience - I'm sure they are a great help to many.
In my case the rep talked a good talk until he actually sat in the meeting, when in effect he said "Yes, boss - no, boss". The boss in question was also as weak as dishwater, so there was no excuse.
Our union does not seem to be able to cope with having professional members. As far as I know it does a reasonable job of representing admin staff. Probably we should be in a different union, but the appropriate one does not want to tread on the other's toes, so we are stuck!
Andrea.
|
