Joining a union

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by disarm, Mar 1, 2011.

  1. disarm

    disarm Byte Poster

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    Hi

    I'm having difficulties with my employer and they've requested I attend a disciplinary hearing. Can anyone recommend a good union to join - I can be represented by a union rep.

    Thanks
     
  2. dales

    dales Terabyte Poster

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    Unite might be worth a look website is something like unitetheunion.org
     
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  3. michael78

    michael78 Terabyte Poster

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    Don't think they will represent you as you would need to be a member before your issues.
     
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  4. Rob1234

    Rob1234 Megabyte Poster Forum Leader

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    Not actaully a union but if you find a really big aggressive looking bloke and ask him to sit with you during the meetings and stare at the people asking questions and every now and then make a growling noise that will work as good as any union. At least it did for me...
     
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  5. dales

    dales Terabyte Poster

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    Yes I did wonder about that (retrospective union membership that is, not the big burly bloke).
     
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  6. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    I guess it would have to depend on the union, I knew a couple of people who had problems joined the union (forget which one) and the union still helped them.

    As for what union, I used to be a member of PCS, there's also Unison and GMB, all which have good reps. But I guess because I work in the public service (education), those 3 are more common.

    -Ken
     
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  7. UKDarkstar
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    UKDarkstar Terabyte Poster

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    As an emergency measure you could also contact Citizen's Advice or if you're a member of BCS use the free legal helpline
     
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  8. greenbrucelee
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    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    Most unions are not worth the money you pay to them and as far as I was aware until you have been paying for a certain amount of time they wont help you.
     
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  9. zebulebu

    zebulebu Terabyte Poster

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    Really? Kind of completely renders what I did for five years (national and local bargaining and trade union side chair representing 2500 people in pay, terms & conditions, health and safety, industrial tribunals etc etc) redundant doesn't it?

    You need to make sure that any trade union you join is officially recognised by your employer - they'll have a list in the HR department, or you can ask your colleagues. Don't worry about joining retrospectively - I used to turn a blind eye when people joined up because they had specific problems (after all, if you're not there to help people as a union official, what are you there to do!)

    Take a good look at your staff handbook (if you have one) - that will detail the disciplinary procedures. Also - be honest with your TU representative if you are really in the s***. I know nothing used to p*** me off more than getting a load of spiel from someone, preparing for a dsiciplinary hearing or tribunal only to find out that they had spun me a yarn, had been taking the p*** for years & finally been pulled on it.

    Good luck.
     
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  10. greenbrucelee
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    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    I worked in the newspaper industry so its probably different. Our unions started go tits up after Maggie Thatcher. Our union wouldn't give any help unless you had paid atleast 6 month dues.
     
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  11. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    At the end of the day, it all depends on what the hearing is for and if you actually did what they said you did...

    If you are guilty as charged, then blazing in with a union rep might just generate a lot of extra hassle for everyone, and if you get off the hook, you'll still be employed by someone who will always regard you as a trouble maker. Sometimes a quiet word works best.

    On the other hand, if you aren't guilty or think you're being set up, having a colleague attend with you can be really helpful. Choose someone who isn't a shrinking violet, but on the other hand someone who isn't going to pick a fight and make things worse. Someone with a brain would be good. Possibly also someone who is presently unavailable so you get to spend a few weeks suspended on full pay while they fly them back from an oil rig in Canada. :oops:

    Joking aside, I've dealt with tonnes of HR/disciplinary stuff in my career, but have never tangled with a union - or belonged to one.
     
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  12. disarm

    disarm Byte Poster

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    Cheers for the replies.

    Unitetheunion have a 52-week qualifying period before they can represent you, don't know about others yet. They can still offer basic advice, but you can get that free from the ACAS helpline.
     

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