Trade Unions

[pmapp]

Afternoon y'all.

This is probably a first for me - a serious thread asking for serious advice. I'm pretty sure there are some folk in the know on here. The Org - Fountain of all knowledge.


I've just started a new job working in a school as part of the ICT support team. There is an option to join a union - something which I've never done, been involved with or know anything about.

The two that are available are:
http://www.unison.org.uk/
http://www.gmb.org.uk

Can anyone give me any advice or do's\don't etc? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Incidentally, the school has suggested joining one as there is always the possibility of accusations being made from pupils etc.

Thanks in advance,
Phil

[sarah]

Afternoon y'all.

This is probably a first for me - a serious thread asking for serious advice. I'm pretty sure there are some folk in the know on here. The Org - Fountain of all knowledge.


I've just started a new job working in a school as part of the ICT support team. There is an option to join a union - something which I've never done, been involved with or know anything about.

The two that are available are:
http://www.unison.org.uk/
http://www.gmb.org.uk

Can anyone give me any advice or do's\don't etc? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Incidentally, the school has suggested joining one as there is always the possibility of accusations being made from pupils etc.

Thanks in advance,
Phil

you can join any union you like but it's probably most useful to join one which has a local rep.

[ophic]

I'd say join. Not necessarily cos I agree with what the unions do, but because you can always quit if you don't like them. On the other hand, if you need them and you haven't joined, you're stuffed.

[sarah]

I'd say join. Not necessarily cos I agree with what the unions do, but because you can always quit if you don't like them. On the other hand, if you need them and you haven't joined, you're stuffed.

sometimes there are other perks too e.g. cheap insurance

[Spiderman]

Put it this way...when i had problems with my last employer i really, really wished there had been a union i could have been part of to help me fight my case against him. So if i ever get the option to join one i know i would.

[wow]

Sarah mentions a valid point. If your local reps are active and good then it's worthwhile in case you have disputes. You can always join when things start to get difficult (if there's a restructuring happening or something), that's what people have done where I work (local government). Most people I know are a member out of principle and in my experience the numbers are dwindling. I used to be a member of Unison for years but not anymore, couldn't see the benefit as it's quite expensive (monthly fee) for what you get out of it. But the better your local reps are the more useful it is and gives you a good feeling as you feel you are represented well. You can just wait and see and talk to your colleagues etc. before you decide.

[madcockney]

Afternoon y'all.

This is probably a first for me - a serious thread asking for serious advice. I'm pretty sure there are some folk in the know on here. The Org - Fountain of all knowledge.


I've just started a new job working in a school as part of the ICT support team. There is an option to join a union - something which I've never done, been involved with or know anything about.

The two that are available are:
http://www.unison.org.uk/
http://www.gmb.org.uk

Can anyone give me any advice or do's\don't etc? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Incidentally, the school has suggested joining one as there is always the possibility of accusations being made from pupils etc.

Thanks in advance,
Phil

Hi Phil, I am in a similar position to you in a school, but as the Network Manager. I recommended the guys that worked for me to join a union, mainly for the reasons you state, and subsequently I joined. In our cases it was Unison and there are perks to joining if you want to take advantage of them.

To be honest it's the fact that the union was able to represent some of the school's support staff against the school, or certain personnel in the school that has been the most prevalent. Teachers have to do very little outside of actual teaching these days and the school leadership in many cases think that other support staff can just take on all the other jobs whether it's part of their job or not. There also appear to be a thought that you can cram 20 hours work into 7.5, as well as in some schools understating a job so that they can pay a lower salary.

I would have thought that union membership will cost you somewhere between £8 and £11 per month so me thinks it is well worth it just for the general representation and legal support should you ever require it.

Though my background is outside of education and I have been on both sides of the management of organisations and companies I have always believed that good representation for your employees should be encouraged.

Incidentally I am SV650 owner who is still trying to get through the tests, but love bikes.

[phil24_7]

sometimes there are other perks too e.g. cheap insurance

I get legal fees paid for, even if it's nothing to do with work!

[Ed]

I get legal fees paid for, even if it's nothing to do with work!

In that case, you're getting a bigger bill!!!

**

I do a lot of employment litigation, usually acting for employees who have bust ups with their employer, or ex-employer. Disciplinary policies usually allow the employee to be accompanied to disciplinaries by a union rep. Some are very skilled at this, some really haven't a clue why they're there. But unions generally are very good at helping deal with workplace bullying, something that sadly is all too common in my experience.

[Fizzy Fish]

I'd suggest joining - the support when you need it is worth the cost ten times over. I had issues at work earlier this year and the union rep kicked butt bigtime and got things sorted out :smt023

Some places still cover you even if you're not a member, but my feeling is that if you can afford to contribute to the service provided you should do.

Unfortunately unions have got a bad press from some especially militant ones (e.g. RMT) which IMO often take the pee. But there are a lot which make a difference on a day to day basis without racing out on strike all the time.

In terms of choice, ask around at work and find out what other have to say about the support on offer, how the unions are run, and their stance on various issues. Unfortunately as has been said, not all reps are that great.

[wow]

http://www.unison.org.uk/join/costs.asp

It's £17.50 a month for £25,000-£30,000
One category below is £14 a month

[Philbo]

Find out who has the best rep, and join. You can always change later on if you you change your mind. Loads of perks too, allegedly discounted insurance deals, free will making services, free legal advice, free literature on topics from health and safety to employment law...

Some people read Unions as, "hit the street lads, the manager just asked me if I want suger in my tea! B******!" Those days are long gone.

The modern Unions are still about helping and protecting members from exploitation by the less scroupulous employers and managers of the world. They offer a very real service, to very real people.

Well worth it.

[Swin]

I would recommend joining Unison too - not just for the employment protection but the legal cover that you get as well.

For example, my son was negligently treated by a hospital a couple of days after he was born, no apology was given for our treatment and it also emerged that they'd tried to cover up the whole incident.
My union took up our case and after nearly 2 years we got some compensation for him (he will require plastic surgery when he's older as a result of their negligent treatment you see). I doubt we could have afforded the legal fees in such a protracted case.
I would have settled for an apology from the hospital involved, but as they wouldn't do that I was mighty glad the union were there to help!

[Biker Biggles]

Find out who has the best rep, and join. You can always change later on if you you change your mind. Loads of perks too, allegedly discounted insurance deals, free will making services, free legal advice, free literature on topics from health and safety to employment law...

Some people read Unions as, "hit the street lads, the manager just asked me if I want suger in my tea! B******!" Those days are long gone.

The modern Unions are still about helping and protecting members from exploitation by the less scroupulous employers and managers of the world. They offer a very real service, to very real people.

Well worth it.

Good advice.Join the best union for your workplace.
Unison tend to be a bit more expensive than GMB but thay do have a unique deal with the revenue that gives partial tax relief on your subs.

On a slightly different note I think we should join a union,or at least contribute the subs in some way,as we all benefit from what unions gain across the workforce.Things like pensions,minimum wage,retirement benefits,minimum holidays,and basic pay and conditions have been fought for largely by organised labour and continue to be defended by the same groups.Without unions we would all be back in the 19 century,and while not perfect I would not be without them.

[sarah]

On a slightly different note I think we should join a union,or at least contribute the subs in some way,as we all benefit from what unions gain across the workforce.Things like pensions,minimum wage,retirement benefits,minimum holidays,and basic pay and conditions have been fought for largely by organised labour and continue to be defended by the same groups.Without unions we would all be back in the 19 century,and while not perfect I would not be without them.

+1. I couldn't agree more.

[pmapp]

Thanks chaps 'n' chapesses.

Some good info' there, really useful. I'll have a poke about at work next week and speak to a few folk to get a bit of local info.

Thanks again,
Phil

[Jabba]

I'm in local govt and am a member of GMB. Was a member of MPO until they merged with GMB which is how I came to be there.

I joined a Union for the security of having some representation in the event of a dispute, etc.

I refused to join Unison, or rather one of its precursor unions, because the first thing I had from them (on my first day in local govt) was a call to go on a march/rally through the centre of the city in support of something relatively trivial and left field. Plus they sold us down the river twice over car allowances/mileage rates, something that has cost me personally thousands of £s over the years.

Generally, I've found Unison too militant for my tastes and willing to strike at the drop of a hat over causes they have either have no chance of winning or causes that I don't personally agree with. They have been out of line with all the other unions on a few occasions in the last few years. But that's just my view, of course, and no offence is intended to any Unison members or Officials who my be on here.

However, should you join a Union if in local govt? Absolutely :-D

[Ed]

Solicitors don't need to join The Law Society, but I'm a member. It no longer has a regulatory function: it's now a professional trade union. Very effective too.

[phil24_7]

In that case, you're getting a bigger bill!!!

Don't think it covers what your doing for me, but I will check!! lol