NHS unions

[Whistledown2]

Is Unison and Unite similar in representing health workers? I am currently with Unison but after a recent issue I am not happy with the local rep/branch rep therefore thinking of changing to another Union.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am possibly prejudiced, so I am going to try to be very even handed. I often hear people criticise their union rep / union for things which they think they should have done, but which were never achievable. People often get the idea that joining a union means they are protected - they are in so far as the law applies, and in many situations there is little or nothing that any union could do. It is also true that the strength of the union doesn't just lie with good reps (and people are often coerced into standing for positions they are unsuited for because there is nobody volunteering) but also with how far the membership will push for something or back their reps. Having say in offices with union members bemoaning that their union didn't get them a pay rise (for example), when asked they usually voted against industrial action anyway, so what were they expecting? If you won't fight then you also won't get.

So do try to be honest about what your expectations of Unison were and ask if they were realistic?

That said, I think Unite is the better union!

Hi@EmmaMaria

My expectations of the Union were completely reasonable. I actually did all the work myself in the end because of no support from them, and got the outcome in my favour.

I feel very let down and not confident should I ever need their help/support/advice in the future, hence why the post.

I wasn't saying your view was unreasonable, I hope you understand. Just that I all too often hear people criticise because they want what they want, regardless of whether that is achievable. So it had to be said. And I was trying to be balanced because I think Unison is rubbish and I am a member of Unite!

Hi @EmmaMaria I wasn't implying you were, I apologise if that is how it came across. Your input has been much appreciated.

I do think it's largely down to the rep, mine was utterly useless from the off. I didn't take to him at all. That could so easily happen in another Union so I really don't know what to do for the best. I think most of my colleagues who are in a union are with Unison.

I didn't think you had - I didn't think that at all. I was more trying to say that I wasn't implying you'd been unreasonable! We are both aplogising for the same thing!

I am not going to say that every Unite officers is brilliant. I would perhaps say that I think Unison have got so used to never fighting for anything that they have often lost the will and skills to do so. My own experience dealing with them has never been positive. It's interesting to note that in a former team I managed we had a serious issue. Myself and one staff member (who had taken my advice) were in Unite. The others were all in Unison. It ended up with the Unison members being briefed and effectively represented by my Unite officer - Unison didn't even speak to their own members! (And yes, we won)

Seperately from that, whatever you decide, if your rep isn't representing you properly, get another one!

As for what your collegaues are in - unless there is an imminent likelihood of industrial action (and in current circumstances that is far more likely to be Unite doing it) where the majority are isn't relevant. 99% of the time you are looking at who is in your best interests because it is more often indivuduals who want help. So do what is best for you.

@EmmaMaria thank you for that, I've made a decision that I will change unions now.

My dispute is over thankfully but you never know when something will come up, so I'll give Unite a whirl. I'll be better prepared this time too.

As someone in HR, I don't see much difference between unions but a huge difference between individual reps. Some really don't do the employees any good at all - I've had them giving incorrect information in meetings (one likes to invent their own employment laws, for example). Others are really on-the-ball.

@Redflagsabounded thank you for that info. It's good to hear from an HR perspective.

My rep nearly cost me my case, as he (maybe unintentionally) gave me no confidence whatsoever as to my rights, and even as a human being! Luckily I'm no wallflower, and was able to navigate my way through with the assistance of other professional bodies.

I shall certainly be more aware if (unluckily) I encounter an issue in the future.

As others have said, it largely depends on the individual rep. I'm a Unite member. Not a fan of my rep but they are very robust and do win things.
If you leave Unison, be sure to email them to tell them you felt let down. I left my previous union and made sure I told them why.

To be fair, that is also true of HR. Some are brilliant, others are less so, and I've met more than one where you wonder what on earth they thought when they chose the profession. I don't expect them to be doing anything other than looking after the interests of the employer who pays them for that purpose, but some employers really don't get their monies worth.

I recall one employer who shall remain nameless. A very senior manager had had multiple grievances against them over the years for discrimination, bullying and harassment. Every single time a certain HR officer dealt with the grievances and every single time the employee lost thier grievance. Staff turnover was through the roof. Until someone went to the CEO (who was entirely oblivious to any of the history for reasons that will become clear), and pointed out the issue with the HR officer always hearing the grievances against this manager - they were best friends. The CEO stepped in and took over the hearings, and the employee won. At which point he got a grievance in from every single member of the staff team because they realised the tide had turned.

The HR Officer was the Head of HR. The senior manager was the Head of Equalities! Both decided to resign shortly after.

Unite suspensions over sexual misconduct allegations, ructions and infighting between Sharon Graham and Len McLuskey supporters

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnv7471gjmjo.amp

As others have said, you should base your decision on your local reps. I left a union for this very reason. Reps had little knowledge of employment law, trust policies and procedures etc. My colleague felt so unsupported during her grievance that quite a few of us left that union- it was concerning.