Are you in a union?

[ShirleyPhallus]

I see this all the time on here:
Op: I have this work issue
Posters: Are you in a union?

Except I don’t know anyone IRL who is in a union and I don’t think I’ve ever seen / sought the opportunity to join one. Somehow it feels like the kind of thing my mum used to talk about in the 90s that people don’t talk about anymore. (Like quicksand and stop, drop, roll).

Are you in one? What happens?

Civil servant, been in a union my whole career.

ShirleyPhallus have you ever had annual leave for over 2 weeks a year and got paid whilst you're away? maternity leave? paternity leave?sickness pay, pensions, safer working conditions and shorter hours you can thank the unions for stuff like that, along with a few other working regulations

I suspect now that the UK is no longer in the EU and the eagerness of the Tories to 'tear up red tape', people should be advised more than ever to join a union.

but for many people they only look to it when something goes wrong

but if you don't want to join until you need the union - why would a union of people help you? surely you understand that isn't how a union works. members pay their subs and go on strike etc, if you don't want to pay your subs and strip then why would you then turn to the union when your in trouble?

As an HR professional I really would advise anyone to join a union. I'm in one and I know my stuff!