So glad I'm no longer a member of Unison.

[corblimeycharlie]

FGS
"they put temptation in their way".
WTF!!

hmm cbc thin ice there. half of mumsnet could be up before the beak....

Not spending time online that I have a problem with but the pathetic defence by the union. There is no defence if caught and guilty. Unison just look foolish saying they out temptation in the way of workers.

I imagine they would defend thieving bank staff for being tempted by handling money all day!

they put temptation in the way

Oh dear. I'm a unison rep ... I had to defend a similar case in the NHS. I told the member they had been very naughty and to apologise and throw themselves on the mercy of management.

I also pointed out to management that the computer use policy had been in draft for seven years and never ratified.

That helped.

Unisons objective here was to try to save their members jobs.
I'm guessing there were not many mitigating circumstances which led them to this ricketty defence.
They hve to try, they are there to represent their members, I dont agree that that makes them look foolish.

I understand that the union need to help and support their members but I don't think they should make these sorts of comments to the press.
It undermines the very important work they do that doesn't get press attention.

Can I just say I'm pleased to find that there are actually some union members/reps here on MN. I've been a bit dismayed on some other threads (in employment issues and elsewhere) which have given me the distinct impression that all MNers are totally anti-trade union.

Can't really comment on Unison's stance on this once since I spend way too much time at work online ...mainly on MN! I agree it's not the strongest line of defence but it's in line with TUC policy...I'm sure Brendan Barber said something recently about how employers should be a bit more relaxed about people using facebook etc.

And if the Council had denied them access to ebay the union would be claiming that they were treating them like children... Just because it's a new version of slacking, it doesn't make it any more reasonable to do it!

I used to work for a union btw!!

I thought that commenting "they put temptation in their way" was ridiculous, too. Saying that the staff didn't know the IT policy (in the organisation I work for, we have to click on an acceptance box which is on top of the policy given to us loud and clear when we join or when it is reviewed) or was unclear or was openly flouted with no action taken by managers would have been different.