To wonder whether it's worth joining Unison?

[BeautyBox]

I've recently started working for a local authority and am thinking of joining Unison. The reps have been friendly and given me the necessary forms and top line chat but we're pretty unconvincing otherwise.

I know people I work with won't be actively trying to talk people into joining but I'm wondering why everyone doesn't join if there are that benefits/reasons to join.

I think I'm going to join as politically it's something I want to do, but I'm curious to know peoples thoughts on Unison specifically and unions generally.

I am pro union and believe in the ideal. However, my experience of unison was not great. After paying my dues for many years, I needed them regarding a redundancy situation and they were absolutely useless. I had to research and sort everything myself. Luckily, I was successful. I did complain but was told central office could not be responsible for the quality of the local rep. I was not impressed so left the union. I now represent the non union staff members at management meetings. In the past year, I have attended every meeting. The unison rep has made it once.

I'm with a Union & really needed their help back in 2015. I got the services of a lawyer, for free, and they helped me so much.
I never thought I'd need that kind of help but I did.