Is being in a union worth it?

[pregantandengaged]

I work for the NHS and part of GMB. I've only worked for them a few years and my last career didn't require any sort of union membership, so I don't really understand what I'm paying for I was just told when I started it that it would be a good idea? Our reps don't really seem the most switched on and I'm perfectly capable of sticking up for myself/reading policies. Am I missing something? Do I really need to pay this monthly fee when I'm trying to save pennies?

I'm part of a professional membership too which provides solicitors and legal representation if god forbid anything went horrifically wrong in a professional capacity.

What is GMB. The Union do help if you need representarion but they also act on hcp behalf to.negotiate pay rises, safety concerns, working conditions, hours and breaks. Which union are you in. Some employers insist on being a member. What does your governing body advise.

What is your role? It might be worth checking if you're in the best union for the type of role you do and what your professional membership covers.

Generally, in the NHS, it is worth being in a union as they negotiate pay and other conditions. And although you may think your capable of sticking up for yourself - sometimes it's not enough and outcomes are a lot better for people in unions as they have more influence than one person and can be more strategic.

GMB is the union, the other choice was unison

Yes it's worth it, just because you know what's right doesn't mean an employer will co-operate if you're on your own. If you don't rate the GMB, is there a Unison branch you could join? Could you become a rep yourself?

Are you patient facing or back office? Patient facing I'd be in a Union although I'd quietly resent it as my experience of unions is not good!

@m0therofdragons I am patient facing, hence why I'm happy to pay the professional membership fee as I know they will provide legal representation and the unions don't.

@leghairdontcare fair point, I guess if something was causing a lot of stress and anxiety having a second person who can argue your point would be a benefit.

Unions provide legal representation if you're injured at work, if you need to go to employment tribunal etc. I'm not sure about if you are accused of medical negligence - I used to be a unison rep but in education, not health. You could ask unison members in your workplace what they think of the reps. Unison has a tiered membership rate too, so it might be cheaper depending on your salary.

Unison would ne my choice. They stand up for hcp and have negotiated well in the past to improve conditions.

I wouldnt expect to get any support from your employer if you do need support or advise or want to raise concern. You will be on your own and in the NHS that's not a good place to be.

Unison absolutely give legal representation.

I am told that the way people are treated under policies when there are issues are markedly different when there is union representation. A good union rep can on occasion save people’s jobs, I know - as I work for unison.

I would recommend always being part of a union.

Also in the NHS and have been with GMB for years, they’ve come out and been present with me in a meeting before and I was so glad to have someone there who knew their stuff.

If you’re referring to the RCN as the professional body then I’ve heard they’re as good as useless and reps are so spread out geographically that chances of you ever getting any practical help is slim.

I was told, when patient facing, to join Unison immediately (by colleagues) as you're otherwise on your own-up shit creek, basically-if you have any claims made against you, eg for negligence. Union membership is much cheaper than individual liability insurance!

Don’t be without your union. You never know when you may need them. There is strength in numbers. It can force the employer to reconsider changing policies which will affect staff badly.

You won't see the tangible benefit of being in the union until you have an issue. Then you'll want them - and they quite rightly wont help you with issues arising during periods when you weren't a member.

I've seen and experiences the difference it makes when people have union representation and when they don't - much better outcomes when they do, no matter how switched on you are. When you have issues at work you become vulnerable - it is an enormous benefit to have the support of someone who is outside the situation.

They do all sorts of things behind the scenes too, but I think the reason most people are in a union is for the personal benefits, as a sort of insurance policy.

If you think your reps aren't up to much then the answer is to become the rep yourself!

I'm a member of unison and have been for 16 years. I've only recently needed them to provide legal representation and they have been mostly good - going to a tribunal against my employers which I would not have the money (nor strength) to do on my own.

Too many people join unions too late, thinking they will never need them, then when they do, they find the unions won't help with anything that happened before they joined.

I'd be wary of legal support through professional memberships. I have something similar and they aren't independent. They tend to be on the side of the employer more than the employee. They need to keep the employers on side in this particular profession.

Unions are more supportive.

I work in the NHS and am not in a union. Have used ACAS before for legal advice, and it was a brilliant service.

Was in Unison some years ago in a different organisation and they were crap when there was a change of contracts so would never be with them again.

GMB absolutely do provide legal representation if necessary - the number is on the back of your card.

A union is - if you aren't ideologically into the Trades Union movement - like insurance: you might never need them, but if you do, your fifteen quid a month is priceless. If your reps aren't good, either train to be one, or take comfort in the fact that, if shit gets serious, they'll send someone from branch or region to represent you: these are people who go into workplace hearings day in, day out. You honestly couldn't pay for better advice. (I say that as a GMB member who dropped thousands on an employment barrister - total fucking waste of money, and completely unnecessary)

You're also eligible, if that's your thing, for various training you scholarships, discounted insurance, legal help (so you can remove that option from your home insurance) and representation on anything (not just work-related) and other perks and discounts (look on the website).

It's obviously up to you - but I think, even if you aren't an ideological TU person, it's cheap at the price.

Yes, I would stay in the union. It’s not just about knowing policies and sticking up for yourself.

I would. At the risk of sounding corny, the strength of the Union is from collective representation and representing the workforce. That becomes weaker and less relevant the fewer people join. There are many benefits even if you might not immediately feel or see them.

I'd always recommend being in a union!

Hmm thanks everyone some good points raised. And yes your right if I'm not happy with reps I should get involved myself. Going to have a look into becoming a rep - thanks