Trade Unions

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

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

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

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.

Originally Posted by Ed

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

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