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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask people to join a union

32 replies

Ghostlyglow · 04/06/2020 17:47

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.

OP posts:
LouiseTrees · 04/06/2020 18:24

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

Joinaunion227 · 04/06/2020 18:28

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 · 04/06/2020 18:45

YANBU!

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

Twiggy71 · 04/06/2020 18:50

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 · 04/06/2020 18:53

Absolutely join a union if one is available.

BigBairyHollocks · 04/06/2020 18:53

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

Original poster
Ghostlyglow · 04/06/2020 20:02

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

OP posts:
BigBreakfast · 04/06/2020 20:14

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 · 04/06/2020 20:18

@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 · 04/06/2020 20:20

YANBU

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

Original poster
Ghostlyglow · 04/06/2020 20:28

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" Sad. There are difficult times ahead, that's certain.

OP posts:
millymollymoomoo · 04/06/2020 20:39

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 · 04/06/2020 20:41

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 · 04/06/2020 20:42

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 · 04/06/2020 20:47

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 · 04/06/2020 20:50

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

LettyBriggs · 04/06/2020 20:56

Not sure there is a union for what I do.

puffinandkoala · 04/06/2020 21:16

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

Join one tomorrow.

puffinandkoala · 04/06/2020 21:17

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

ThatPairOfCats · 04/06/2020 21:20

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.

Original poster
Ghostlyglow · 04/06/2020 21:22

If you are employed there is a union @LettyBriggs

OP posts:
AnneElliott · 04/06/2020 21:25

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 · 04/06/2020 22:06

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

LouiseTrees · 04/06/2020 22:14

@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.

Original poster
Ghostlyglow · 04/06/2020 22:18

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

OP posts:
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