If you are a civil servant are you in a union?

[sunnycloudymorning]

If so, have you ever needed their support and how useful have they been?

I'm not (reasonably new to cs and G7) and would like to be I think but £ is very tight atm

Yes, PCS. I've left now but in my early days with the CS they were great in helping me navigate a silly but honest mistake I made that had to go through the disciplinary process as it involved data security. Stressful time as I could have in theory lost my job but they'd seen it happen plenty of times before and made sure I handled the interviews etc correctly.

Also, later as a manager I unfortunately had to let someone go. I referred her to PCS and the rep provided her with good advice and support in meetings. The outcome wasn't going to change but I was glad she had that impartial support to assure her that due process had been followed.

Yes. It’s an insurance policy against grievances being made which have no basis by people you lead. Secondly: as someone with a chronic illness who didn’t know if I’d be able to carry on working - I joined so they could help me smooth my exit should it be needed.

Yes, in FDA. We have recently had pay and contract reform in my Dept and you had to be in a union to vote on the offer. I had been in the union since joining the civil service 9 years ago though, and this was the first time I 'used' the membership.

@Elieza www.pcs.org.uk/campaigns/international

Examples of campaigns:
www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/news/cease-israeli-government-violence-against-civilians-palestine

www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/news/support-human-rights-colombia

Whether I believe in the cause or not (some I do and some I don't) I just don't think it's the place of a union representing civil servants to get involved with them. They've also been major supporters of the Labour Party and campaigned for them which given civil servants are meant to be apolitical in the work place feels uncomfortable to me
.

PCS. Have been through TUPE several times including out of the CS and the value of having the unions legal bods sort out pension and t&cs etc was immeasurable.

I’ve been in both FDA and PCS. I found PCS really helpful when I was being bullied by my line manager. Not currently in a union. FDA is proper to my grade but I can’t face joining them again. It was expensive and they were useless.

Yes, Prospect, some use but not great. I still wouldn't have been without them for what little help they managed.

Yeah, I'm with PCS.

I am and have been for my whole CS career (15ish yrs). I’ve only been to them one time about an issue I had, they were helpful and I was glad I had them available - they helped me understand the context of the issue I was having (luckily it was not anything terribly awful).

When I’ve had to take people I manage through performance procedures I always suggest they approach their union for support if they are a member. Although once I did tell a rep that they were being unhelpful to the person they were representing because of their aggressive approach (the staff member agreed with this, it was funny in a dark humour kind of way).

I think of it like an insurance policy - if you never need it then great, if you do you’ll wish you’d joined earlier as they won’t represent you if you’ve not been a member for a certain amount of time I.e. you can’t just join at the point you need help. It might seem like a lot of £ per month but it’s essential like buildings insurance in my view.

I was with unison they were ok. When I changed roles I didn’t pay into a union. I’m saving that £15 a month. I can’t say the union helped me much to be honest.

I've been in the civil service 23 years and in the union. They have helped me massively especially with attendance management meetings after a period of illness after major surgery. The meetings were so stressful and I don't think I would have kept my job without the help of the union

No, the union reps (PCS) in my workplace are totally hopeless.

Also some advice - You can literally join the union on the same day you need their services (e.g. if you need a rep to attend a meeting with you) then stop membership once you no longer need them. In my work I've even seen the union represent non members.

Yes, I'm a rep for PCS (and used to be be a group president). I would never work anywhere without joining the union.

If your terms and conditions are negotiated collectively as they are in the CS, why would you not want a say in that?

I’ve been a rep and branch chair in the past. I have the greatest admiration for people who are reps. It’s a thankless task and people forget that it’s voluntary - the reps are hopeless are they? If you think you can do better please volunteer.

I worked in HR in the CS in recent years and have worked closely with TUs during that time. I would say the support they give on individual issues is generally really good (depending on the rep). However, having been sat opposite them in pay & terms and conditions negotiations I’ve always felt they don’t represent my interests or what is important to me. They are driven by their national agendas rather than getting the best deal for staff in a specific negotiations.

@Chickenwing2

No, the union reps (PCS) in my workplace are totally hopeless.

Also some advice - You can literally join the union on the same day you need their services (e.g. if you need a rep to attend a meeting with you) then stop membership once you no longer need them. In my work I've even seen the union represent non members.

Not true, at least not in Unison where I have been a rep. We wouldn't represent anyone on an issue that started more than 6 weeks after they joined. This is to avoid the exact scenario you are encouraging.

PCS long time (gold badge) member.

Would never not be in a union. They are there to help you when things get bad and you are at your weakest and most vulnerable. The union educates members about their employment rights. I’m amazed at how much more I know than friends who have never been in a union.

Remember the TU ban at GCHQ? That’s how much the tories don’t want
Workers to have the protection of a union.

Thanks all. I've joined the FDA as it seemed the best fit for my department and role

Yes PCS. Its necessary in our office. Management are dreadful and it's a rabbit hole of trouble if you don't have representation.

I've never needed a union in previous jobs but in this office it's a necessity.