Trade Unions
 

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

Re: Trade Unions
 

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

Re: Trade Unions
 

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.

Re: Trade Unions
 

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

Re: Trade Unions
 

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.

Re: Trade Unions
 

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.

Re: Trade Unions
 

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.

Re: Trade Unions
 

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

Re: Trade Unions
 

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.

Re: Trade Unions
 

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.