Are you in a union ?

[worldwidetravel2017]

Just wondering - are you in a union ?

Yes, I have been since I was 16, and I'm still a union member now thst I'm semi retired and self employed.

Yes, since I was a student. It's compulsory to have indemnity insurance so everyone is in one.

Nope!

The UCU cares more about spreading antisemitic vitriol than serving workers.

Nope. I used to be in the PCS, but got fed up with them propping up lame duck colleagues who really should've been binned off.

Yes

Not presently, but an researching Affinity which are a political and apparently supportive of sex based rights

Yes. They're about as militant as cold rice pudding, though 😆

No and now I'm in management and see how pathetic the union representation is I'm not sure why anyone would be tbh.

I was when I was working and in 20 odd years only needed them once, but they were amazing. I became ill and was eventually dismissed on ill health grounds and went on to take ill health retirement. They advised me every step of the way and because of them I got what I was entitled too (which hr did not help with and did actually tried to get me to resign so I wouldn't be entitled to as much). Definitely worth every penny I payed over the years (even when they weren't getting us the pay rises/terms and conditions we deserved).

No, start up IT companies aren't strong on unions.

I have my own legal insurance though, and have had to use it.

No, I used to be in one but they voted to strike a few years ago and I didn't want to strike. I couldn't in all conscience remain a member of the union after that.

your workplace doesn't have to recognise it. They are useful if you need legal advice relating to work etc etc

Yes because I live in Denmark and the trade union negotiate contracts and terms. If I want to be paid a social workers pay I need to be in their union.

I am and they were absolutely brilliant when I was subjected to pregnancy based discrimination. Would never be without one.

Absolutely! They are brilliant! The only force that can stop greedy unfair biased corrupt bosses

Yes, I'm with unison, haven't had to use them yet.

For a previous job I was with a different union, unite maybe I can't remember, they weren't very helpful when I did need their advice & I ended up seeing an employment lawyer instead

Yes, and I'm surprised that the voting so far shows the majority are too.

At times it seems like no-one else on Mumsnet is and that's always puzzled me.

Yep unison, who are running a big campaign at my work at the moment. I’ve got involved and been persuaded to do my stewards training next month which I’m looking forward to

I'm a union rep in a school.

Colleagues come to me who are facing a whole range of issues (if you saw the thread in AIBU about why people are leaving teaching...it's those issues...).

Not yet but having seen my manager going fucking savage and realising the management of the charity and HR are corrupt as fuck, I’m going to.

I was the union workplace rep. I lost count of the number of people who started a conversation with ‘I didn’t join the union but now xyz has happened and I need to join.’ I had to explain that it’s like insurance - you can’t take out insurance after an accident and then make a claim. People should join a union when they start work so that when/ if an employment issue arises (and in our sector it happened a lot), the union can support them as members.

Yes UCU

Generally for self interest as universities are making great swathes of us redundant so their advice at the moment is helpful

Yes, GMB it's the best £14 a month I could ever spend

Nope. Dh just cancelled his membership after 2 years of organisational change and a consultation period. Lots of evidence showing managers behaviour was against employment law etc but wherever he tried to contact for support they didn’t come back or didn’t listen properly. They were no support at all.

Interesting, GMB is so dh was with and it has been a total waste of money. What’s your membership got you?