To ask people to join a union

[Ghostlyglow]

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.

[chocolateisavegetable]

that most help from unions is given to those who join before they have issues, as opposed to afterwards

Does this mean that there isn't any point in joining a union if you think you might need help with Covid-19 employment issues?

[HazelBite]

Just the presence of union representation in the workplace is often enough to ensure that employers are minful of the way and how they treat their employees.
I am retired now during my working life I can say that I have only been treated poorly by an employer in workplaces where there was no union representation.
It became very unfashionable in the late 1970's onwards to join a union (under the Thatcher regime) but it is so necessary in this day and age.
Go to the Tolpuddle museum in Dorset it might make you realise what some people sacrificed for us all to be able to join a union.

[Lazypuppy]

YABU Because not all unions actually help. Our union actually stopped us getting a huge salary increase for no reason.

[AmazingAardvark]

I joined a union because they were very helpful to a colleague who faced bullying and discrimination from senior managers at my small company.

[Valkadin]

I was a trade union activist for many years up to regional level. Yes join a union but you know people joining just now will have actually benefitted for years due to unions negotiating pay and conditions on the backs of all the existing members subs.

If your actual rep is not that great you can always check stuff for free with ACAS who have a free helpline and are excellent.

[EBearhug]

I'm a Prospect member. They're not recognised in my current workplace, as there aren't enough members, but they have been excellent in supporting me with a couple of issues with HR, including a disciplinary which should never have happened.

They're running some interesting information sessions online at the moment - the one I attended on equal pay answred some general questions I had had for a while. They've also had some sessions around COVID-related issues.

I hope I never need my union, but I've been very glad of my membership when I have needed them - in the same way I don't want to have to make an insurance claim, but I have been very glad of it when circumstances have meant I needed to.

[Picalilliandcheese]

I strongly believe unions are in with employers. Reluctantly have joined unions in the past. A waste of my money. Would never do it again.