So where is my money going?
That seems to be the realistic alternative. I think if I'm in the union they'd supply an employment lawyer, while out of the union I'd need to get my own.
Alternatives to Unite?
- Thread starter The Halk
- Start date
Associate
- Joined
- 8 Jan 2007
- Posts
- 1,468
I'm a union rep for usdaw and my job is to look after workers rights and make sure they are not exploited and the company t@c's are followed. Also look after any members in disciplinary hearings. Well that's the outline of it anyway.
That's exactly what I'm after. I want that - and if I was in a union that did that I'd feel obliged to do my bit.
What I don't want is the union rabble rousing and political activism.
Strikes remain extreme and relatively rare. However you appear against them even if they achieve your goals. That suggests you are not so concerned with your interests as you claim.
I was using a bit of creative license to make my point.
Again, I'm back to you the point about it's their political campaigning that looks after you on a more distant level, whilst workplace representation is only an immediate help.
Both are part and parcel of the trade union movement. Like it has been said, if you don't like the other you can participate in the democracy of your particular union to change the areas you do not like or you could seek similar representation outside a trade union.
If you had a medical condition your employer would seek to dismiss you through misconduct and not through the correct capability route. Therefore it suggests the misconduct avenue is taken to avoid a payout on the IPI.
So surely it would have made more sense to take IPI out with someone who doesn't have a prejudicial interest in the outcome?
It seems that you are trying to see hidden agendas behind what I say in order to pick fault. I am against frivolous strikes, but I would be behind a strike if it was right, and it was a last resort. That's all there is to that....
Their political campaigning is all they seem to do - and they do it without integrity. I'm no fan of the coalition, and I'm no fan of labour, but my concern is that I'm contributing to an organisation which will misrepresent in order to achieve their goals. If they did things honestly I'd mind a whole lot less - and it doesn't matter that all of politics is dishonest, the part I pay for is the part I'm concerned about. That and them behaving as if they were Sky and I was a customer, selling my details on (including faking them).
I created this thread to find out if I had an alternative to the union I'm in. I thought there might be a union that wasn't political - for example Which? are not political, but they will take on issues that are in the realm of politics.
They'd seek to dismiss me through misconduct because they'd have no grounds to dismiss me under medical grounds. If I became so ill I couldn't work then the IPI would kick in and I'd be on it until retirement age. If I became ill and could work, but I was a bit of a burden and not as productive as someone who was not ill then at the top level company policy would be to keep me, but middle management would want me out of the door.
The IPI is underwritten by a separate company within the group. The T&Cs of it are the same as a normal consumer policy. The cost is around £6 per month a comparible policy would be £30 per month, if I was in good health. It's not underwritten, because it's a group policy. Most importantly though I cannot take cover elsewhere because no underwriter would touch me. It's part of a package of benefits my employer provides, some of which I make a contribution to - e.g. BUPA, dental packages are there at a much reduced cost.
Soldato
I am with USDAW and although I don't follow their political leanings, I really do need to be in the union.
I can't think of any other way of getting all that for just under £6 a month. Bargain if you ask me.
* The biggest thing some people have against unions is the threat of industrial action. Many seem to think a union will call for strike action at the drop of a hat because the canteen swapped from brown sugar to white for coffee.
Strikes are very rare and only used as a last resort, and not all industrial action is a strike. In 13 years at the same firm I have only seen one ballot on industrial action. And that was a vote to see if we should vote for industrial action. That action probably wont even be a strike, it will be work to rule.
- I have never needed it, but should I be called into disciplinery action, I will have their backing (unless I stab my manager with a knife I stole from a Littlewoods parcel or something).
- Many managers, especially lower management in large firms will extract the urine. Once I had to stay home and look after my 6 week old daughter. I actually had to get the union involved to get paid. Despite me only trying to use 1 day of my 2 weeks annual "emergency family leave" for tyhe first time in 10 years.
- Again, I don't need it but the union will provide lessons for literacy and numeracy to those that do.
- Protection of T@C's and pay. The union has managed to stop some really dodgy contract changes recently. A union can do this, threat of *industrial action, where a single person, or a single site cannot.
- Free legal advice. On any subject within or outside work.
I can't think of any other way of getting all that for just under £6 a month. Bargain if you ask me.
* The biggest thing some people have against unions is the threat of industrial action. Many seem to think a union will call for strike action at the drop of a hat because the canteen swapped from brown sugar to white for coffee.
Strikes are very rare and only used as a last resort, and not all industrial action is a strike. In 13 years at the same firm I have only seen one ballot on industrial action. And that was a vote to see if we should vote for industrial action. That action probably wont even be a strike, it will be work to rule.
Soldato
You know what gets me more? Now and again they send me a letter asking to vote for the new union leader. With say 5 candidates. And I know **** all about any of them! So you can't really change the unions stance on something democratically.
Associate
Why though? If you follow your contract of employment then you don't need to worry? Our laws protect workers more than businesses so if a number 2 hits the fan then as long as you follow your contract then you'll be fine.
Soldato
It is a nice theory, but it simply doesn't work that way. A company can change your contract, say drop your holidays and sick pay down to basic, and withpou a union your options are accept it or quit. Quitting in this climate just isn't an option for most people right now and some companies are taking advantage of that.
Soldato
same here in union to protect my rights at work and I hate the labour party.
Soldato
...care to explain how, exactly?
Deleted member 66701
D
Deleted member 66701
What business are you in - I might be able to make a suggestion.
Although as Floogie pointed out, all unions campaign politically - even ones that don't donate to Labour (PCS etc).
Banking & Finance.
Well, the two proposals for reform are:
- Treat unions the same as other lobbying groups and cap total donations.
- Make union political donations strictly opt in
Both those have been objected to by labour, who receive around 80% of their funding from a few trade unions, who, as demonstrated in this thread, don't actually represent their members views.
Deleted member 66701
D
Deleted member 66701
Hmm, in that case I can't reconmend a Union that wil be able represent you that also refrains from the political posturing you object to.
I suggest you use your membership funds and set up a savings fund for a good solicitor should you ever need legal assistance in your workplace. You also have the option of approaching ACAS directly - you don't need to be a member of a TU to use thier services.