Upsetting the apple cart

[Miss Demeanour]

When I started work ,all those many moons ago, I was asked to joing the union at that time.

I have paid my subscriptions since and not thought too much about it.

It being a sticky time in local government and any public sector service there are again loads of cuts that are being proposed. The amount of propoganda and nonsense currently being circulated is ridiculous and it is all managers vs staff lingo. Even though many managers are union members.

So on Friday I decided I had had enough, cancelled my membership and saved myself a bit of money.

Today I have had an irrate phone call from the steward asking me to explain myself.

Now don't get me wrong I am quite prepared to give my reasons but whatever the feck happened to freedom of choice.

It was my decision - I don't need a blasted "cool off " period . I don't care that it sends out the "wrong signals" or that this is not  "a suitable time to be taking such action"

Ooooooohhh he has made me very mad this morning  

[Nick]

I used to be in a union and when I got elevated to the management found that my presence at union meetings was treated as suspicious. They thought I was spying.So I resigned and joined a different union.

[Snoopy]

When I started work ,all those many moons ago, I was asked to joing the union at that time.

I have paid my subscriptions since and not thought too much about it.

It being a sticky time in local government and any public sector service there are again loads of cuts that are being proposed. The amount of propoganda and nonsense currently being circulated is ridiculous and it is all managers vs staff lingo. Even though many managers are union members.

So on Friday I decided I had had enough, cancelled my membership and saved myself a bit of money.

Today I have had an irrate phone call from the steward asking me to explain myself.

Now don't get me wrong I am quite prepared to give my reasons but whatever the feck happened to freedom of choice.

It was my decision - I don't need a blasted "cool off " period . I don't care that it sends out the "wrong signals" or that this is not  "a suitable time to be taking such action"

Ooooooohhh he has made me very mad this morning  

I assume that even though you have left the union you will still accept the pay increases and other benefits that they negotiate on behalf of all staff or do you intend to do all that yourself as well as pay for any legal services you may need to help sue your employers at some future date?
When I was a union official it never ceased to amaze me how the non members accepted the pay rises, pension increases etc negotiated by the union and bleated when we went in to bat for members in dispute with managers but told them to sod off when they came moaning about their problems.
Your union rep is right ~ you need to consider the situation very carefully.

[Nick]

Join another union Miss D. My new one secured a very welcome voluntary redundancy agreement. ?30K tax free, ?5K careers counselling and, "unlimited and UNQUESTIONED" time off for seeking work. I had a lot of nice days out on the back of that last one 

[Miss Demeanour]

 

[Snoopy]

Don't you save money on all the other benefits that unions usually offer. Reduced rates on travel, education courses, household insurance, preferential deals with various stores etc? By all means change unions (as long as you don't lose benefits in doing so) but anyone working for a Local Authority or major "Nationalised" industry (Post Office, BT, Leccy Boards, Gas Board etc) really does need to be on the inside. Once the employer knows you are out of the union they will walk all over you.

[Barman]

Don't you save money on all the other benefits that unions usually offer. Reduced rates on travel, education courses, household insurance, preferential deals with various stores etc? By all means change unions (as long as you don't lose benefits in doing so) but anyone working for a Local Authority or major "Nationalised" industry (Post Office, BT, Leccy Boards, Gas Board etc) really does need to be on the inside. Once the employer knows you are out of the union they will walk all over you.

Haven't they been walking all over the staff anyway...? 

[Snoopy]

Don't you save money on all the other benefits that unions usually offer. Reduced rates on travel, education courses, household insurance, preferential deals with various stores etc? By all means change unions (as long as you don't lose benefits in doing so) but anyone working for a Local Authority or major "Nationalised" industry (Post Office, BT, Leccy Boards, Gas Board etc) really does need to be on the inside. Once the employer knows you are out of the union they will walk all over you.

Haven't they been walking all over the staff anyway...? 

Probably but they have to follow an "agreed" route ...... non-members don't even get that small protection.

[Miss Demeanour]

Don't you save money on all the other benefits that unions usually offer. Reduced rates on travel, education courses, household insurance, preferential deals with various stores etc? By all means change unions (as long as you don't lose benefits in doing so) but anyone working for a Local Authority or major "Nationalised" industry (Post Office, BT, Leccy Boards, Gas Board etc) really does need to be on the inside. Once the employer knows you are out of the union they will walk all over you.

Nope - lost my travelcard card allowance last year , Instantly left me a thousand pounds a year worse off. Household insurance is not as competitive with other well known companies on the market. There are no other perks in terms of training etc

[Snoopy]

Don't you save money on all the other benefits that unions usually offer. Reduced rates on travel, education courses, household insurance, preferential deals with various stores etc? By all means change unions (as long as you don't lose benefits in doing so) but anyone working for a Local Authority or major "Nationalised" industry (Post Office, BT, Leccy Boards, Gas Board etc) really does need to be on the inside. Once the employer knows you are out of the union they will walk all over you.

Nope - lost my travelcard card allowance last year , Instantly left me a thousand pounds a year worse off. Household insurance is not as competitive with other well known companies on the market. There are no other perks in terms of training etc

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