Anyone else had crap support from their local Unison

[SirChenjin]

Not going into too many details but our team has had various problems with our bonkers manager over the years. Her manager backs her 100% and while we ignore a lot of it there are some things that are more major and which just go beyond what we're prepared to put up with. Various people (some of whom have left for others jobs, others who are still here) have tried to get union advice or support.

Our local Unison branch is absolutely useless. Won't return phone calls, if you can get hold of them to arrange meetings they don't turn up, if they do turn up the advice is often incorrect. Anyone else had this problem and if so, what did you do? We're in the NHS.

[nonamenopackdrill]

Escalate it to the Full Time Officer for the sector at HQ.

[SirChenjin]

Thanks - will check that out

[Virginiaplain1]

I tried to contact our local Unison office a couple of weeks ago. All I got was a message announcing their opening hours - no means of leaving a message. This happened every time I rang, at whatever time. Rang head office and, although I spoke to a human, they were not much better.

[SirChenjin]

What happened when you spoke to head office? I vaguely remember someone in our team doing that ages ago and they were just advised to contact their local branch (not sure who they spoke to in head office though)

[PippaFawcett]

I got appalling advice from my union rep (not Unison) and he basically told me I had lost my case - this was to do with a flexible working request. Luckily I had a friend who worked in HR who was far more help and I got what I had asked for/was legally entitled to.

[CountryLovingGirl]

I have just cancelled my union membership after paying for 20 years. I have had zero help from them when I asked for help.
Both Unite and Unison are very weak these days!