Trade Unions

[Future17]

I was just wondering what posters' first hand experiences are of trade unions - positive or negative.

I had one bad experience which put me off them, but there's talk of my employer entering a voluntary agreement with one which has led me to reconsider the subject.

I'm not so interested in the political side, more the practical.

Thanks.

[Fife-Hibee]

It's unfortunate, but trade unions are generally almost all political these days. Even the trade unions that claim to be "independent" have political agendas.

[One Day Soon]

I was just wondering what posters' first hand experiences are of trade unions - positive or negative.

I had one bad experience which put me off them, but there's talk of my employer entering a voluntary agreement with one which has led me to reconsider the subject.

I'm not so interested in the political side, more the practical.

Thanks.


They are excellent and you should join in my opinion. Like everything else it depends on the people involved.

[Future17]

They are excellent and you should join in my opinion. Like everything else it depends on the people involved.

Thanks for the reply ODS. Do you have an example of having used one that you're able to share?

[Colr]

I was just wondering what posters' first hand experiences are of trade unions - positive or negative.

I had one bad experience which put me off them, but there's talk of my employer entering a voluntary agreement with one which has led me to reconsider the subject.

I'm not so interested in the political side, more the practical.

Thanks.

GMB were OK. I’ve been in Unison twice and both times they were no use whatsoever even when my employers were acting totally illegally. They took the employers side both times and I had to get support from elsewhere so sort the problems out.

[Hiber-nation]

I was just wondering what posters' first hand experiences are of trade unions - positive or negative.

I had one bad experience which put me off them, but there's talk of my employer entering a voluntary agreement with one which has led me to reconsider the subject.

I'm not so interested in the political side, more the practical.

Thanks.

If you have the chance to join one then do it. You never know when you might need them. My mate was suspended close to taking early retirement, staring at a dismissal. The Union (PCS) managed to get him his full package. He was close to quitting the PCS several times over the years as he disagreed with some of their more left wing policies but he stuck with them.

[One Day Soon]

Thanks for the reply ODS. Do you have an example of having used one that you're able to share?

At one stage I was the Trade Union rep in my workplace. I ended up being involved in various disciplinary actions on behalf of members at different times. There's no doubt in my mind that one or two of them would have been out of the door without representation.

Equally having a recognised union in the workplace made management sit up and take notice far more seriously of various bread and butter issues and I've seen that in several different environments. I think the fact that union membership carried with it the implicit knowledge for management that legal advice and collective bargaining was there for unionised staff made a difference to the parity of strength in any negotiations. But again it depends on the people involved. An ******** is an ********, regardless of which side of the fence they sit.

[Lester B]

It's unfortunate, but trade unions are generally almost all political these days. Even the trade unions that claim to be "independent" have political agendas.

These days??? Do you know the history of the trade union movement??

Declared interest: I'm a trade union full time official. I have no interest in the political side at all. My job is helping people with their problems at work and that's all I'm interested in. I'm not the only one.

[Lester B]

At one stage I was the Trade Union rep in my workplace. I ended up being involved in various disciplinary actions on behalf of members at different times. There's no doubt in my mind that one or two of them would have been out of the door without representation.

Equally having a recognised union in the workplace made management sit up and take notice far more seriously of various bread and butter issues and I've seen that in several different environments. I think the fact that union membership carried with it the implicit knowledge for management that legal advice and collective bargaining was there for unionised staff made a difference to the parity of strength in any negotiations. But again it depends on the people involved. An ******** is an ********, regardless of which side of the fence they sit.

:top marks Would give this 11/10 if I could

[Bishop Hibee]

I've been a Nalgo/Unison shop steward in the past and I'm actually going to be one for my new workplace. I'd say they are an overall force for good. Of course they are political. They were born out of the working class struggles at the turn of the 19th/20th C. The right wing press give them as good a press as Hitler at times.

My experience is that members sometimes want the earth and go daft when the union can't deliver. There is always compromise in any negotiations and ultimately management have the right to manage. Similar to ODS, I've been in disciplinary meetings where we kept staff in a job even when management had them bang to rights. Management knew that it was in their interests to have a good working relationship with the union so there was a bit of give and take.

Don't get me started on scabs crossing picket lines though :grr:

[Hibrandenburg]

People tend to dwell on the smaller picture when it comes to trade unions whereas in my opinion its the bigger picture they should be remembering. Trade unions are primarily there to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of their members and secondarily get employees out of **** they've gotten themselves into. It's trade unions we have to thank for laws and regulations covering our day to day lives like holidays, mutually beneficial contracts, parental leave and many other rights that could only have been dreamt of in early industrial Britain.

[Bristolhibby]

I’m in one (PCS) and my wife is in the NUT.

We definately used the NUTs help when the school were looking to make one of two girls redundant, who as it happened were both on maternity leave. This was breaking employment law. Got the Union involved and lo and behold, there were no redundancies.

Bloody chancers!

J

[HarpyHibby]

I worked in Tesco while I was a student and I think it was Usdaw who were our trade union at the time. I signed up when I started but genuinely couldn’t believe it when I received a letter addressed from Manchester telling me which way I should vote in the Scottish independence referendum.

I’m probably quite naive but my only experience since then has been guys in the office decked out in badges giving out branded water bottles and pens to try and encourage people to sign up.

I know you can opt out of donating to political causes but I don’t think I’ll ever sign up again after what happened in 2014.

[Tornadoes70]

I was just wondering what posters' first hand experiences are of trade unions - positive or negative.


I had one bad experience which put me off them, but there's talk of my employer entering a voluntary agreement with one which has led me to reconsider the subject.

I'm not so interested in the political side, more the practical.

Thanks.

You should 100% join one. Legal advice on employment law is normally free.


People tend to dwell on the smaller picture when it comes to trade unions whereas in my opinion its the bigger picture they should be remembering. Trade unions are primarily there to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of their members and secondarily get employees out of **** they've gotten themselves into. It's trade unions we have to thank for laws and regulations covering our day to day lives like holidays, mutually beneficial contracts, parental leave and many other rights that could only have been dreamt of in early industrial Britain.

Completely agree with this. Been a Trade Union member for as long as I can remember and never regretted it.

[marinello59]

It's unfortunate, but trade unions are generally almost all political these days. Even the trade unions that claim to be "independent" have political agendas.

You really do need to read up on the proud history of the trade union movement.

[Future17]

At one stage I was the Trade Union rep in my workplace. I ended up being involved in various disciplinary actions on behalf of members at different times. There's no doubt in my mind that one or two of them would have been out of the door without representation.

Equally having a recognised union in the workplace made management sit up and take notice far more seriously of various bread and butter issues and I've seen that in several different environments. I think the fact that union membership carried with it the implicit knowledge for management that legal advice and collective bargaining was there for unionised staff made a difference to the parity of strength in any negotiations. But again it depends on the people involved. An ******** is an ********, regardless of which side of the fence they sit.

Thanks.


You should 100% join one. Legal advice on employment law is normally free.

:faf:

Thanks for all the replies folks. As I said before, my experience is limited but related to a colleague being given incorrect advice by a union rep which led her down a path ultimately ending in her losing her job. She realised the problem quite late on, by which time it was essentially too late. She complained to the union, who initially denied culpability, then said they would get her legal representation, failed to do so and then washed their hands of the whole thing.

Our organisation is perhaps slightly unusual in that it's relatively small, but approximately 50% are legally qualified. Broadly speaking, those who are legally qualified wouldn't use a union in any disputes of a disciplinary nature. I get the collective bargaining aspect, I'm just not sold on it.

Thanks again.

[Bangkok Hibby]

People tend to dwell on the smaller picture when it comes to trade unions whereas in my opinion its the bigger picture they should be remembering. Trade unions are primarily there to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of their members and secondarily get employees out of **** they've gotten themselves into. It's trade unions we have to thank for laws and regulations covering our day to day lives like holidays, mutually beneficial contracts, parental leave and many other rights that could only have been dreamt of in early industrial Britain.

I completely agree and have been a union member all my working life. Sadly our unions will have little effect, when they try to stop the Tories gleefully picking away at all these rights when/if we leave the European community and they have steamrollered all opposition at the next general election.

[G15 Hibs]

At the risk of repeating what others have said, I'd echo what folks who are/have been reps have said on here. I'm a rep/steward in my workplace and have been able to achieve a fair amount in terms of representing members in disciplinary meetings, collective bargaining for decent pay awards and maintaining and improving working conditions. As someone else mentioned I feel just having a reasonable union presence in the workplace keeps employers on their toes.

Unfortunately I find a fair bit of frustration in my dealings with full-time officials/regional officers but that hasn't detracted from being able to deal with day-to-day workplace issues. Essentially if you have a decent rep and an engaged membership in the workplace then officials should only be involved very seldom.

I wouldn't let the political side distract anyone from the benefits of membership of a trade union. Again, whatever your political views (or if you have none at all), there are times you'll need help in the workplace. Politically the campaigns they get involved in relate to workers rights, which are important to us all.

[pollution]

All my working life I have been in a sales role and never did it occur to me or my colleagues that a union membership would be useful.

Or in fact permittable. If it had been then I would most definitely signed up. The number of instances of bullying by managers on junior staff still shocks me now.

One girl left her job after non stop aggression by her manager. I tried to assist her but she was scared. An official rep would have worked wonders, many times over.

For four years in a row we had no pay rise, despite a near doubling of work. The private sector is a shark infested pool.

[Just Jimmy]

I'm a member. never needed it yet but mine comes with lots of extra benefits plus free legal advice and support if I need it in any aspect plus representation if work related.

I've never used mine yet but I wouldn't take the chance of not being a member.

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[G15 Hibs]

All my working life I have been in a sales role and never did it occur to me or my colleagues that a union membership would be useful.

Or in fact permittable.

You have a legal right to join a trade union and not be discriminated against because of it. Your employer might not recognise the union (getting workplace union recognition is a thing in itself in the current world of work) but you still have the same protections and right to representation.

[ronaldo7]

I was just wondering what posters' first hand experiences are of trade unions - positive or negative.

I had one bad experience which put me off them, but there's talk of my employer entering a voluntary agreement with one which has led me to reconsider the subject.

I'm not so interested in the political side, more the practical.

Thanks.

Having previously been a Branch Chairman of a Union in a large manufacturing business in Edinburgh, back in the day, I'd say that the benefits outweigh the downsides. The Union is there to help the workers in many areas, such as, free collective bargaining, improving terms and conditions, welfare, training, Health and Safety, and much more.

The amount of times we've had to bail out one the boys/girls in disciplinary hearings to allow them to keep their jobs, or reduce a warning from a Final to a written warning, I've lost count.

It's when you get to the National negotiations on wages, or Delegates conferences is when you see the other side of the Union. My Scottish General Secretary had a penchant to keep a wedge in his pocket which was used for certain ladies during conference. Not sure it will be like that now:wink:

This brings me to the Political levy, which used to be taken directly from you due's and paid to "The Party". This doesn't happen now as you have to opt in.

I'd say give it a go, even although some Unions today are still taking their members to the cleaners so to speak (Glasgow Ladies), or are handing out large loans to the top man to buy a house at preferential rates. They're not all like that.

If you do give it a go though, I'd say to get involved and don't just pay your due's and leave it there. You never know what they'll get up to.:greengrin

Guid luck, whatever you do.

[Glory Lurker]

America is as America is in no small part to it neutering the labour/union movement back in the day. If that isn’t a case for trade unions, I don’t know what is.

[overdrive]

I was a member of Unison at my previous employer. I didn’t need to use them as such but shortly before I left my department was about to go through a restructure and everyone had to apply for their job again. Unison were beyond useless. Luckily a guy in our department was the GMB rep and realised that Unison were not arsed in anyway whatsoever to even give us the most basic of information and took it upon himself to include us in the meetings he was having with his members.

[Hibs98]

Much like the Labour Party a complete waste of time,. A hollow echo chamber of idiots trying not to be idiots. Raaar.

[Lester B]

Having previously been a Branch Chairman of a Union in a large manufacturing business in Edinburgh, back in the day, I'd say that the benefits outweigh the downsides. The Union is there to help the workers in many areas, such as, free collective bargaining, improving terms and conditions, welfare, training, Health and Safety, and much more.

The amount of times we've had to bail out one the boys/girls in disciplinary hearings to allow them to keep their jobs, or reduce a warning from a Final to a written warning, I've lost count.

It's when you get to the National negotiations on wages, or Delegates conferences is when you see the other side of the Union. My Scottish General Secretary had a penchant to keep a wedge in his pocket which was used for certain ladies during conference. Not sure it will be like that now:wink:

This brings me to the Political levy, which used to be taken directly from you due's and paid to "The Party". This doesn't happen now as you have to opt in.

I'd say give it a go, even although some Unions today are still taking their members to the cleaners so to speak (Glasgow Ladies), or are handing out large loans to the top man to buy a house at preferential rates. They're not all like that.

If you do give it a go though, I'd say to get involved and don't just pay your due's and leave it there. You never know what they'll get up to.:greengrin

Guid luck, whatever you do.

Yep. You never ever get tired of stopping them when you know they want to fire and you help stop that :agree:

[Lester B]

Much like the Labour Party a complete waste of time,. A hollow echo chamber of idiots trying not to be idiots. Raaar.


Totally scoobied is no way to go through life son

[Fife-Hibee]

You really do need to read up on the proud history of the trade union movement.

Which has nothing to do with right now.

[Lester B]

Which has nothing to do with right now.

Nonsense.

Right now, do you get paid holidays? That's thanks to trade unions

Do they pay overtime at enhanced rates? That was due to unions

Do you get sick pay right now? You're welcome

Can your employer fire you without good reason regardless of how long you've been there? No? Good. No it's OK. Don't mention it.

Trade unions basically invented public holidays and the weekend too :wink:

Your employment rights today stem from the history of the trade union movement. Interestingly enough, more recent rights come from the EU with not a little canvassing from European unions but that's another story.

It has everything to do with right now.

Two of my great-great grandfathers were killed in industrial accidents through employer negligence before they were 30. The fact that employers could get away with such negligence was challenged by working class people organising into the trade union movement which is political act in itself. You may not be a fan of a trade union leader giving a political opinion on the TV. He or she has as much right to do so as someone from IoD, FSB or the CBI. More so I'd argue because they represent a larger group of people.

Now my coffee break is over and I need to help someone with their employment rights. I'm so old fashioned at times

[One Day Soon]

Yep. You never ever get tired of stopping them when you know they want to fire and you help stop that :agree:

I found it much worse when defending some village idiot successfully, knowing they were a complete chancer and other people were having to carry a lot of their load.

[One Day Soon]

Nonsense.

Right now, do you get paid holidays? That's thanks to trade unions

Do they pay overtime at enhanced rates? That was due to unions

Do you get sick pay right now? You're welcome

Can your employer fire you without good reason regardless of how long you've been there? No? Good. No it's OK. Don't mention it.

Trade unions basically invented public holidays and the weekend too :wink:

Your employment rights today stem from the history of the trade union movement. Interestingly enough, more recent rights come from the EU with not a little canvassing from European unions but that's another story.

It has everything to do with right now.

Two of my great-great grandfathers were killed in industrial accidents through employer negligence before they were 30. The fact that employers could get away with such negligence was challenged by working class people organising into the trade union movement which is political act in itself. You may not be a fan of a trade union leader giving a political opinion on the TV. He or she has as much right to do so as someone from IoD, FSB or the CBI. More so I'd argue because they represent a larger group of people.

Now my coffee break is over and I need to help someone with their employment rights. I'm so old fashioned at times


You ****ing dinosaur.

[JeMeSouviens]

Nonsense.

Right now, do you get paid holidays? That's thanks to trade unions

Do they pay overtime at enhanced rates? That was due to unions

Do you get sick pay right now? You're welcome

Can your employer fire you without good reason regardless of how long you've been there? No? Good. No it's OK. Don't mention it.

Trade unions basically invented public holidays and the weekend too :wink:

Your employment rights today stem from the history of the trade union movement. Interestingly enough, more recent rights come from the EU with not a little canvassing from European unions but that's another story.

It has everything to do with right now.

Two of my great-great grandfathers were killed in industrial accidents through employer negligence before they were 30. The fact that employers could get away with such negligence was challenged by working class people organising into the trade union movement which is political act in itself. You may not be a fan of a trade union leader giving a political opinion on the TV. He or she has as much right to do so as someone from IoD, FSB or the CBI. More so I'd argue because they represent a larger group of people.

Now my coffee break is over and I need to help someone with their employment rights. I'm so old fashioned at times

Ta v much.

If you could sort me out with a 4 day week, that would be champion. :wink:

[Lester B]

Ta v much.

If you could sort me out with a 4 day week, that would be champion. :wink:

You want compressed hours, term time working or just to drop a day? Give me something to aim to bud :wink: There's a seven stage formal process with recognised time limits and is made easier if you have children under 18.

And your membership number for our records is....? Hello? I can take a postcode if you don't have it to hand :greengrin

[Lester B]

I found it much worse when defending some village idiot successfully, knowing they were a complete chancer and other people were having to carry a lot of their load.

Some chancers get a rocket up their bahooky and improve. Seen it happen. There are others who don't so when you hear from them in the same trouble as before I've no problem saying 'getting you off last time was a minor miracle, you're asking for a major one this time. I can't do that'

[Hibrandenburg]

I found it much worse when defending some village idiot successfully, knowing they were a complete chancer and other people were having to carry a lot of their load.

:agree: I get a lot of that. Afterwards I always make sure they know I know they're at it. Next time they normally ask for another rep.

[Besties Debut]

I was a dedicated member of the FBU for 30 years. Your workplace would be a less safe environment, your terms and conditions would be worse and your pay rises would be minimal if it was left up to the bosses. The union protects you from the worst excesses of management not too mention representing you in disciplinaries and providing legal assistance. I would advise everyone who has the chance to join a union

[Speedy]

Personally not a fan but each to their own I suppose.

[Johnny Clash]

Trade unions do a lot of good with most achievents not getting publicised. The best unions I’d say are the more active ones that encourage member participation. A Union is simply a collective of working people after all so democracy is important and all elected officials should be accountable to the members.,

Politics is part of life so it’s fair enough unions having a voice. You pay something like 8p a year into the political fund and legally unions need separate funds to campaign against the likes of job closures or senseless privatisations.

It’s also interesting that Hibs , in our early days, had a close affinity with the miners union and played fundraisers to help mining communities when on strike. The miners repaid the favour when Hibs were struggling to survive.

So to answer the OPs question - yes, go join a trade union and take an active interest. It’s your legal right. Nobody can stop you joining a union.

[offshorehibby]

I would always encourage someone to join their union. You don't have to be politically minded or even a labour supporter. It's good to have the back up of a union, whether it's just an individual dispute between you and your employer or the entire work force, it's good to have help or advise just a phone call away.

I've been in a union since i was serving my time, joined the old EEPTU about 1980 and still there through all they're amalgamations over the years. EEPTU - AEEU - Amicus and now Unite. Had a we stint in the Oilc in the 90's.

[Colr]

I paid Unison quite a bit in fees and they were utterly useless when I called on them. Total waste of money.

[Bangkok Hibby]

I paid Unison quite a bit in fees and they were utterly useless when I called on them. Total waste of money.

Likewise RMT with me. I absolutely support union membership though. Now looking for another to join.

[Colr]

Likewise RMT with me. I absolutely support union membership though. Now looking for another to join.

I found the GMB actually wanted to do their jobs.

[SHODAN]

Ta v much.

If you could sort me out with a 4 day week, that would be champion. :wink:

The four-day working week will happen, but we'll all be retired by then and will therefore oppose it.

[Bangkok Hibby]

I found the GMB actually wanted to do their jobs.

I'll have a look, thanks.

[Dalianwanda]

Some chancers get a rocket up their bahooky and improve. Seen it happen. There are others who don't so when you hear from them in the same trouble as before I've no problem saying 'getting you off last time was a minor miracle, you're asking for a major one this time. I can't do that'

Certainly when we were trying to set up a performance improvement planning roadmap in an old company of mine they just kicked back every time..Not sure if its the same eerywhere but we had to sit in front of a panel of 10 or so union reps with our proposals...Turned out a couple who were on the panel were underperforming so obviously didnt want anything official & transparent being set up :wink:......Apart from that I do think thet are a good thing & if I was employed would certanly sign up