Joining a union

[Loopinlouie92]

I work in healthcare. Never been part of a union before but think it might be a good idea to join one. My colleagues are all part of Unison. I'm not keen on them given how the TRAs look like they've taken it over.

Apologies, I know nothing about unions. How does this work? Can I join a different one? Does it have to be them? Are there any unions that won't hate me for being GC?

I think the Darlington Nurses started a union after having a man foisted upon them. Or Free Speech Union? I left my union, UCU, years ago and joined FSU, as UCU also actively campaign for men in women’s spaces. One of their leads at my workplace actually tried to get me sacked for safeguarding children.

Very helpful, thank you. I'll look into those!

I could be wrong, but I don't think the FSU is a union in the usual workplace sort of sense - they might be able to offer help and support in some circumstances but I don't think they can do the usual uniony stuff like collective bargaining. I'm also interested in this, as a really pissed off member of Unison!

I've just joined UNISON. I'm relatively new to the NHS and not working in a medical capacity. I hope I'm better inside the tent than out, to paraphrase a different idiom. I think once I'm here a bit longer- maybe over a year, I might try to become more active, maybe even a shop steward. I'm 59 and this will be my last job before retirement so I have little to lose.

I also mentioned in another thread that FILIA have a way for women to register their union membership, not sure what practical use this will be but have done so anyway.

You're correct. They can help with free speech problems (as the name suggests) but don't tackle the full range of workplace issues.

Unison are full on TWAW as far as I understand, have you looked at Unite?
I am sure there was a recent thread about unions, I hope someone on that thread sees this one and gives good advice OP

The FSU are a union in the same way that GDR (former East Germany) was a democracy. They will help if your problems (roughly "cancelled because I wasn't woke") align with their political standpoint, otherwise they are utterly devoid of interest.

Unison women's conference had a vote last year (passed unanimously -- all votes pass unanimously officially confirming their position that TWAW.

The TUC have a union finder, go on their website and look for the right one.

I am in the RMT (Public Transport) but tbh most unions including mine are quite TWAW. They’ve got help for me a different times over the last two decades, thankfully nothing to do with gender, mind.

How about PCS for public sector workers?