27th January 2010, 02:49 PM
On a different tack to gnomeking:
I mentioned this on an old thread, but I think it's worth saying again.
I used to be in IPMS (the old name for Prospect) - where I was a rep and on a branch committee. We did good work in assisting management of major change in the organisation in which we worked. I left that organisation and set up a field unit (with another person). I was told that I could no longer be a member of the union as I was a member of management....... So, with great regret, I left and did not return.
Unions assist with all sorts of things, such as re-structuring and conditions of employment, which affect all employees. I will admit to feeling annoyance that many of my colleagues benefitted from the work that the union undertook (which was paid for with my subs and my time) without being members themselves, but I felt that it was still worth being a member. I agree that there are benefits to companies in having union representation, not least in communication in both directions. When we had a branch, we had to shout quite loudly for people to listen to us, at least at first, but we got there!
I would also point out that there are many training opportunities available to reps and members available through the unions, if you want a personal advantage.
I'm just sad that I wasn't allowed to continue as a member......
I mentioned this on an old thread, but I think it's worth saying again.
I used to be in IPMS (the old name for Prospect) - where I was a rep and on a branch committee. We did good work in assisting management of major change in the organisation in which we worked. I left that organisation and set up a field unit (with another person). I was told that I could no longer be a member of the union as I was a member of management....... So, with great regret, I left and did not return.
Unions assist with all sorts of things, such as re-structuring and conditions of employment, which affect all employees. I will admit to feeling annoyance that many of my colleagues benefitted from the work that the union undertook (which was paid for with my subs and my time) without being members themselves, but I felt that it was still worth being a member. I agree that there are benefits to companies in having union representation, not least in communication in both directions. When we had a branch, we had to shout quite loudly for people to listen to us, at least at first, but we got there!
I would also point out that there are many training opportunities available to reps and members available through the unions, if you want a personal advantage.
I'm just sad that I wasn't allowed to continue as a member......