To ask people to join a union

[Ghostlyglow]

Before it's too late. As people return to work there are already stories of people having terms and conditions changed, redundancies etc. etc. Join a union.

[LouiseTrees]

If there is one available in your industry, 100 percent YANBU

[Joinaunion227]

Ahem, as you can tell from my current name - YANBU (NC-ed, but long-time poster).

Also important to emphasise - assume is case for all unions and not just mine - that most help from unions is given to those who join before they have issues, as opposed to afterwards.

I consider it a useful insurance policy.

[Titslikepicassos]

YANBU!

I’m having a really hard time with my employer for various reasons and my union have been incredibly helpful

[Twiggy71]

I agree 100 % one of the first things other staff members told me to do was join the union. That was 13 years ago now and they have been invaluable as they have fought for us for the better.

[PaperMonster]

Absolutely join a union if one is available.

[BigBairyHollocks]

I work in HR and would definitely say, join a union!

[Ghostlyglow]

I'd really like who voted that I was BU to say why.

[BigBreakfast]

I've always been a union member but when I've needed them they've been rubbish. Unless you're in an industry where the unions remain powerful (not many, thanks Maggie) I'd say good legal insurance cover is money better spent.

[Immigrantsong]

@BigBreakfast

I've always been a union member but when I've needed them they've been rubbish. Unless you're in an industry where the unions remain powerful (not many, thanks Maggie) I'd say good legal insurance cover is money better spent.

That is sad to hear. Unions are made strong, because of members that are big in numbers and want to take action. I appreciate you have had a negative experience, but have you ever thought about becoming active in the Union? After all, most union reps and branch officers do this as a side gig to the day job, so if they are lacki6they surely won't get voted again. I love Unions, but I like them militant and strong enough to take action.

[MadameJosephine]

YANBU

Join a union and become an active member, unions are only strong when their members stand together

[Ghostlyglow]

Sorry to hear that @BigBreakfast and I realise it's true for many people but the only way to improve things is for people to join, get involved and stick together. It really saddens me that it's everyone for themselves. As you said "thanks Maggie" . There are difficult times ahead, that's certain.

[millymollymoomoo]

Unrealistic to expect things not to change
There will be massive redundancies, restructuring and reduction of spend needed for many companies to stay afloat

[DoIneed1]

I was with unison for 8 years and they were crap. I now use ACAS and the legal help I get via my home insurance if I have employment issues.

[Groundhogdayzz]

This thread has come at just the right time! I was literally looking up unions and wondering if it was worth the money! There isn’t a sector specific union for me but going to join a general one.

[LolaSmiles]

YANBU

It's also great to see a thread like this on here. It makes me angry seeing bitter posters on here rushing to the bottom on employment rights and standards with their 'dont fight for good conditions because my auntie's friend's son was sacked for sneezing so you should all roll over and be grateful for having a job'.

[Kittywampus]

Yanbu. Join whichever union is most relevant for your workplace. If there is no union branch, start one

[LettyBriggs]

Not sure there is a union for what I do.

[puffinandkoala]

Anyone can join a union. I thought they were just for the public sector but they are not.

Join one tomorrow.

[puffinandkoala]

This one may be worth looking at for a lot of you: prospect.org.uk/

[ThatPairOfCats]

I was a union member for many years (public sector). We got outsourced and they were ok. After the outsourcing though they were useless, no clout, no interest. I wasn't the only one who swiftly cancelled.

[Ghostlyglow]

If you are employed there is a union @LettyBriggs

[AnneElliott]

Agree people should join a union. But you need to check of course that you support their stance on issues. I didn't like the one in my public sector job ( inflammatory and totally intransigent) so I had to wait until I was senior enough to join the other one.

[Joinaunion227]

I rate Prospect - covers a lot of different sectors and roles.

[LouiseTrees]

@Ghostlyglow accountants don’t really have a union and are easily replaced, so it’s not 100 percent accurate to say if you work there is a union. Even if there is a union it might not be a very effective one if the industry is largely not covered by unions. Then again they are one of the sectors least affected by coronavirus.

[Ghostlyglow]

I realise not all unions are recognised in the workplace, but they can still provide free advice, help and info etc @LouiseTrees