Is it beneficial to join a union?

[cooldudecol]

Is it beneficial to join a union? I'm caught in two minds whether to join, as I'm not entirely sure what it is there for.

Is it like insurance if something goes wrong in the workplace and they're there to stick up for you if you have a case? eg like a lawyer

[teag1rl]

yeah, it's something like that. I'm torn tho, they were very good to me when my employers tried to change their mind about how much they were going to pay me, helped me write a letter and it all worked out fine. However, now we're balloted on stike action that I dont really agree with. There is a possibility that there will be a strike. If I come to work I'll have to cross picket line, if I dont I dont get paid and have to buy back pension for that day! Sure someone else will be much more helpful to you, I'm just pointing out drawback.

[CheekyChops]

I've been in my union since I started this job 3 years ago and now I am being made redundant, they are about as much use as a chocolate tea pot.

Overall, after paying over �200 over the three years, no I don't think it has been worth it.

[Kim A]

I agree with cheekychops. I was a member of the union in my last job (over 8 years). I had always been a member of whatever union was relevant to whatever job I wsa doing over the years. Anyway, having paid my dues over all those years, having been a rep and on the committee, when the chips were down and me and three of my colleagues approached the union to help us, they wouldn't. They left us completely on our own to deal with a complex and unpleasant situation, which lasted a whole, stressful year. I'd never belong to any union ever again.

[Lonnie]

Yes, If something happens to you minor or major, you'll have official representation, access to the unions lawyers, etc, also, depending on which union it is, free wills and other things. The only drawback, is if the union is involved in a dispute with the company, and they call a strike, which must be balloted first, if the vote is a majority of yes, then you have to strike, but it rarely happens. You would be wise to join.

[swamp duck]

I believe it depends which particular union you join. There are good ones and not so good one's, and their only as good as their rep's.

I have been a member of a union for the last 17yrs and dred to think how much I have paid over this time. I don't agree with some of the decisions they make on my behalf, but to be honest, as lonnie said, they can come in useful if you need representation and to be honest that is the only reason I am with one.

[teag1rl]

Oh, and I've just noticed, my ballot paper asking me whether I would be prepared to strike or not arrived at my house AFTER the date it needed to be returned, so even tho I don't want to, I never had the chance to have my say!!! grrr

[cooldudecol]

Thanks for everyone's help.

I just find it a waste of money and I don't think I'll have any use for them. I'm particularly swayed this way when I hear all of the stories about unions failing to help them when they need them the most.

I've never been in bother in any work places and I hate the idea of going on stirke when I disagree to it.

Unisons the main one here - anyone got any opinions on them?

[teag1rl]

It's Unison I was talking about cooldude-pretty damn pathetic they cant get ballot paper to me on time!!!

[Hermia]

I'm with Unison and the reps in my workplace are brilliant. We had trouble last year with almost everyone in our building having long periods of time off sick with breathing difficulties/chest infections. We were all getting warnings about excessive sickness and the management refused to believe there was anything wrong with the building. I got the Unison rep on to it. He forced the management to carry out Health and Safety tests (using an independent tester) and the conclusion was that the builidng would cause respiratory problems and should be shut until something was done about it. The rep also got notes put onto everyone's sickness record explaining the it was illness caused by working conditions.

I think Union membership is essential. I don't always agree with what some unions do and of course sometimes they are useless, but I wouldn't want to be without that support. You just can't trust senior managers alas. I actually got along really well with the ones where I work, but when it came down to it their loyalty lay with the trustees not me.

Is there not a rep in your workplace who you could chat to? It might give you an idea of how useful they are going to be.

[cooldudecol]

I'm actually very good pals with the Unison rep, but I wanted a objective point of view - as obviously, he'd be pushing for me to join!