time off for union duties

[ScotlandUnited]

I've been a Unison member for many years and had some wonderful help from them re: an employment tribunal win.

Now in a new job which I'm enjoying and everything going well. Although I do feel a bit bored at times as I get all my work done by Tuesday and very little left to do the rest of the week. Have asked for more work or to help other teams but been told no, just do what I'm doing. Other than that, its been okay. Feedback has been good.

Its a FTC for 12m.

I've joined the unison branch committee. Managers don't know yet.

I need to go through training to become a proper TU rep and this is where I'm worried.

I know I'm entitled to paid time off for union duties and training and the union is recognised by my employer.

However, DH is concerned that I may upset my managers, put my probation at risk and get a bad reference. He doesn't understand the need to be in the unison branch if I am 'only' temporary (12m contract but it could be extended or I could get another role in the organisation).

AIBU to be involved in the union and will I be risking the relationship with my manager?

It’s not something I would have signed up for during the probation period for various reasons but as you say, you are entitled to time off for union duties and presumably you’d have the backing of the union if that were not honoured.

I wouldn't do this unless I was very secure in my job and had sounded out my manager beforehand to gauge their likely reaction.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean the employer will like it. They probably won't boot you out during your probation but I think you can kiss goodbye to any prospect of your contract being renewed.

Union members - and particularly reps - are seen as potential troublemakers, and employers don't like people who will challenge them or rock the boat.

Union members - and particularly reps - are seen as potential troublemakers,

This is so sad. I bet the managers are quite happy with public holidays and paid leave. I bet they’re glad that they work in a safe environment. I bet they like benefitting from pay increases that unions negotiate for.

I became active for the same reason, but after many years in role. The employer saw it as a positive move - HR like to have a union rep to deal with in potential areas of conflict.

The training and whole experience of committee work did loads for my development, I’d go for it but maybe offer to make up some or all of the time and reassure that once trained you will prioritise the day job. (I know that isn’t the law, but ...)

I became a UNISON steward on a FT contract and it caused no issues at all. FYI still at the same employer 12 years later. Have you talked to other committee members, they may be able to reassure you?

As someone who has been in the TGWU for years in the past, and has a large team now, I’d generally be really pleased that an employee was doing this - I would think good things of their principles and commitment.

However - how new are you?

Because someone who’d only just joined the company, I have to say I’d have my eye on you for having work avoidance motives.

Look at how existing union activists are treated in your workplace. Blacklisting isn’t normal. Unison being public sector shouldn’t be an issue. Be prepared for bucketloads of ‘woke’, which may fit well with your organisation’s agenda.

Union members - and particularly reps - are seen as potential troublemakers, and employers don't like people who will challenge them or rock the boat.

That is a vast generalisation. I am a senior manager. I am a lifelong active union member. I encourage my staff to join a union. My employer encourages people to join a union. That doesn't mean that every single manager is actively pro-union. But union membership or activity would not be a barrier to employment, and even an outright anti-union manager wouldn't be daft enough to think they'd get any support from the employer to break the law!

I am 3 months into the role.

I've always been active in the union although not trained as a rep. I'm on several unison committees already and actually mentioned this in the application under the 'other interests' as these committees were relevant to the job (its a 'woke' job I'm in!)

As for 'woke' - I'm okay with most wokeness, although the TWAW does me uncomfortable but I keep my mouth shut on that.

I haven't taken or requested any annual leave yet and my managers say I'm getting lots more done than they expected so they couldn't say I'd fall behind or anything....

PS although it was in my application, it was never mentioned at interview so not sure if manager saw it / if HR mentioned it or what

If it's Unison you may well find a lot of the managers are members too and it isn't seen as being a 'troublemakers at all.