Union membership

[Norwegianbea]

Hi,

I would be grateful if anyone knows if a member of a union (i.e. Unison etc.) is obliged to tell their employers that they are a member and also, if an employer asks a union if any of their staff are members is the union obliged to give details? I know that there are limits as to what the employers can do with the info (i.e. not sack everyone) but can membership be kept 'secret'? Many thanks, NB

[PeteHull]

No one needs to know your position on this, we have had occasions during one day strikes where head teachers have asked who are members of unions, and even gone to the lenghs of putting up notices asking for people to divulge there political persuasion. This is not acceptable and could be tantermount to bullying tactics.

hth
Pete

Ps you can of course tell them if you want to, but again this has no detriment to your employment. It is your LEGAL right to be represented, also if you are an active member (a Rep) of a union you have a legal right for time to carry out union duties and to attend meetings and training sessions.

[R1Geezer]

why woud anyone want to be in a union? Can't see it myself. Anyway no you don't have to tell your employer and no the union does not have to tell an employer if asked.

[cassa333]

Can an employer stipulate that emplyees are not allowed to be members of a union?

[buildersmate]

No they can't.
Where that was once tried (GCHQ) during Maggie's time on the shift, Government had to back down.

[dzug]

No they can't. Where that was once tried (GCHQ) during Maggie's time on the shift, Government had to back down.

Took quite a few years and a change of government for that to happen though.

[pedro888]

Your employer will simply not reconise your union, it all depends on the size of your employer and what % of the work force will join you, however be careful at some stage someone will grass on you and identify you as a trouble maker, in this market they will find a way of making you redundant or trip you up for the sack, it is an employers market now and they can change anything hours etc on the basis they are saving your jobs or keeping the company fit to survive the gloom, many blue chip cash flush compaines have used the eco gloom as an excuse to slash jobs, amend contracts and pull out of pensions saying if you do not allow us to do this then everyones job will go, suggest you sit tight for now, play the game and be glad you have a job

[buildersmate]

Fist line is valid. After that, a load of leftist tripe.

[pedro888]

If the first line is fine then you may as well join the British Legion and get cheap beer, other than that waste your money on some union where they post you a monthly crap magazine and the top leaders drive jaguars and run up massive expense accounts.

[Folker]

1 You are entitled to be a member of a union even your employer does not recognise it for bargaining purposes. Some employers have an arrangement for the deduction of subscriptions from wages so they will know if you are a member. This will generally work in your favour as they know that if they want to take any action against you they should do it properly.

2 You are not obliged to divulge your union membership.If the situation demands it you can have union representation.

3 Re R1Geezer's comment - would he buy house insurance the day after his house burnt down? Unions give much more than represntation in employment matters. See Unison website.

4 Union membership is probably more esential today than it has been for decades. Forget the politics, it is just a basic human right to be treated fairly and be represented.