To urge everyone who can to join a union.

[JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam]

Okay, I know I’m not. But at my husbands insistence I joined a union 9 months ago after being in NHS service for 5 years. I had no real reason to join, he just told me if I ever needed them I’d be glad.

Fast forward 9 months and here I am in the thick of a full on wrangle with HR, management and my job - which it turns out isn’t the job I’m supposed to be doing, processes have not been followed properly for a long time and I suspect there are a few higher ups in a fair bit of trouble. My union rep has been stellar not only with his support but with his advice and his ability to get things taken care of. Hes talked me through every eventuality, what it means and what action he will help me take if it comes to that.

He has been worth every Penny of my union dues a thousand times over.

I come from a long line of active union people, but was really dissullusioned with mine. The fees, for one thing, are extortionate and are not properly aligned to pay, so the percentage that senior staff pay from their wage is tiny compared to junior staff. They have also been shit at getting us a decent pay deal.
I don't feel like a lot of unions are really there for the workers- senior management always seem to do best out of them ..

Nope, I left my union because they have decided that men with special feelings are more important than women. I couldn't trust them to be on my side. I told them why I was leaving, they didn't give a shit.

I regarded my union fees as insurance and they were quite useful once, but ineffective when I really needed them.

Same here. UCU for me

Absolutely. I wasn’t in the union when I had a problem with a previous manager and now I’d never not be in a union - they are a good insurance policy! And I think a lot of people don’t realise that you don’t need to work in a unionised workplace to join one- you can join a general union and they will still help.

I've joined 2 unions in the past, one was unison but can't remember the other one at the moment. Both completely unsupportive unless dealing with high profile strikes with lots of press coverage. No help with individual cases at work. Husband in another union, he has requested help but total waste of time. I would not join a union again.

Most unions offer legal expenses cover. So if you are in an accident at work you can have legal advice and representation without cost or deduction from damages.

My Mum had loads of help from USDAW when her employer tried to change her contract and then with a long term health condition that eventually resulted in ill health retirement.