What union can I join that isn’t totally beholden to Stonewall or similar?

Thanks @Bosky.

Thanks @Bosky

@jessmin and @EmpressaurusWitchDoesntBurn - I’ve checked with Fiona44444 on Twitter and, yes, Prospect does have a GC Women’s Group.

If you, or anyone else, is already in a Union and you are on Twitter then DM Fiona44444 on Twitter for more information about GC Women’s Groups in Unions.

The list of Unions with Groups is constantly growing. If you are not on Twitter, post a comment here and I’ll find out if the Union you are interested in is covered.

On Labour Party affiliation: you have the choice of whether or not to pay into a union’s Political Levy. This is an extra, small sum on top of your membership subscription.

Unions can only use funds from the Political Levy to support Political Parties. This includes donations, paying member’s expenses to attend meetings of Political Parties, etc. For example, if a Union Branch agrees to affiliate to a local Constituency Labour Party the Branch can pay travel expenses for the Branch rep to attend CLP meetings.

At different times I have been a Union Branch Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. There are completely separate processes for accessing regular Branch Funds (eg. to pay for a member to attend a Union training course) and Political Levy funds.

If anyone wants to join a Union but does not want to financially support the Labour Party, do not opt in to pay into the Political Levy when you join.

You can opt into or out of the Political Levy at any time.

I hope that helps

I've just resigned from UCU. When they rang me to instruct me how to encourage me to vote recently I delighted in giving the rep chapter and verse about why I left. "Mysoginistic homobhobes" may have featured in my rant. It was deeply satisfying but now I'm at a loss as to where to go next.

Found it!

Affinity

workaffinity.co.uk/

"Affinity represents thousands of people working in a wide range of industries including banking and finance, accountancy, retail, manufacturing, education, the law, hospitality and travel and tourism. Its members include teachers, bank staff, IT consultants, financial advisers, academics, local government staff, lawyers and civil servants.

"Currently in its centenary year, Affinity is different to most trade unions in that it has no party political affiliations, is not a member of the Trades Union Congress and has no ties to the employers it deals with, leaving it free to protect the rights and interests of its members without fear or favour."

freespeechunion.org/faq/

"I’m being put through a disciplinary process at work for breaching a company speech code. Can you help? The Free Speech Union is not a trade union and therefore you don’t have a legal right to be represented by someone from the FSU in a workplace dispute. If you’re involved in a dispute, we recommend you contact your trade union or, if you’re not happy with your union or not a member of a union, join the Workers of England Union. The WEU has won tens of thousands of pounds for its members whose “philosophical beliefs” have resulted in them being discriminated against in the workplace. We have negotiated a discounted joining fee of £25 for members of the FSU which covers the first three months of your annual membership dues and, unlike most other unions, the WEU will go to bat for you as soon as you sign up. If you’d like to take advantage of this offer, you can join using this form, not forgetting to email them at [email protected], letting them know you’re a member of the FSU."

there is another one - single word beginning with a but I can't remember it. Will post when it comes to me.

I'm in Unison as a rep. I don't agree with their position and I keep it quiet (as I suspect others in the union do) but I wouldn't say they are shouty about trans rights, at least not in my region.

Our equalities official is great at staying neutral and trying to respect all PCs but it's not an easy job he has.

I'd love a union that supports women

I've just resigned from UCU (I wonder if they'll contact me to ask why - there wasn't a free text option to give a specific reason) and can't think of anywhere to go. So following for suggestions.

I'm with Prospect and keen to know if they will support me if required. I came very close to needing them recently after being accused of Transphobia at work but the case was closed at investigation stage.

Anyone know if there is a GC group with Prospect union?

I have been in touch with Fiona44444 on Twitter and there is a Union GC Women’s Group for ULU members

@GCmiddle and @FreiasBathtub

"Several unions now have GC Women's Groups working behind the scenes. If you are on Twitter, you could ask @/Fiona44444 if she is aware of an NUJ GC Women's Group (there is is one for Unite).

If you are not on Twitter, I can ask her for you."

If you are on Twitter, DM Fiona44444

If you are not on Twitter, DM me here on Mumsnet.

(I am not Fiona44444 BTW but I can help you to contact her).

Me too GCmiddle. Fingers crossed!

The Free Speech Union recommend a particular union, which is not affiliated to any political party but totally independent. I can't remember which it is (should find out, I want to join!) but you may be able to find it on their website or contact FSU to find out.

Are there any GC women working behind the scenes in UCU? I would love to hear about that and join them.

HR Procedures usually allow for an employee to be accompanied by a friend (not necessarily a work colleague) or represented by a union rep.

The "representation" part covers the fact that a union rep is acting as an "agent of the union" and is therefore covered by insurance should you wish to take legal action against the union, ie. for some reason arising from the conduct or competence of the rep.

Employers usually bar "representation" by a lawyer but may allow you to be accompanied by lawyer (as a "friend") or by a McKenzie Friend.

Several unions now have GC Women's Groups working behind the scenes. If you are on Twitter, you could ask @/Fiona44444 if she is aware of an NUJ GC Women's Group (there is is one for Unite).

If you are not on Twitter, I can ask her for you.

Thing is, women could just be paying a due to a union that will not only fail to defend women's interests, but actively promote things which are against them.

FSU would be the only union who would defend you on freedom of speech/belief grounds. You can have any representative you like with you present in meetings, and from my experience trade union reps are worse than useless. Honestly, it would be an utter waste of time and your money would be far better spent on £50 to the FSU who would actually robustly defend you

Unite cover publishing (to a degree, they tend to avoid direct competition) and are a lot better than the NUJ on this, though not perfect.

Good question!

I'm actually eligible for free UCU membership (teaching part time alongside PhD research) but I find the way they've treated and spoken about women who stand up to trans ideology appalling. I'd rather pay for membership elsewhere. If there's anywhere uncaptured by the woke nonsense.