So I used to be a teacher and in teaching, you’re pretty much guaranteed to be in a Union. It’s not mandatory but you’re basically told, pick one and join it (there are several for teachers).
Since then I haven’t been in one. I left teaching and quickly left the public sector for working in IT in the private sector and haven’t been in a Union since (small charity for a little while then big corporate for 9 years, now another big corporate). None of these organisations recognise unions.
With all the problems around pay, inflation, talks about striking, etc, I feel like joining a Union would be a good idea but my current and former employer don’t recognise unions so I’m curious what exactly that means for me if I do. Presumably, I wouldn’t have any option to strike should such a circumstance arise. In terms of work, they presumably wouldn’t be able to negotiate a better pay deal for me and all I’d get for my money is advice, legal support (if required) and whatever external deals the Union offers.
Have I got that right? Am I missing something?
8 comments
**A reminder to posters and commenters of some of [our subreddit rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/about/rules/)**
– Don’t be a dickhead to each other, or about others, or other subreddits
– Assume questions are asked in good faith, and engage in a positive manner
– Avoid political threads and related discussions
– No medical advice or mental health (specific to a person) content
Please keep /r/AskUK a great subreddit by reporting posts and comments which break our rules.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
What you’ve said.
What do you mean your employer doesn’t recognise unions? Are you in the armed forces or police service now?
It means they will enjoy taking your money and giving you the bare minimum in return.
You don’t need to join a union.
There’s a reason we don’t need them in IT.
Our market value is high enough that we can simply change employer.
We can also learn $hotnewthingindemandthing and have 10 recruiters messaging us.
No inflation level pay rise – leave.
No bonus – leave.
Manager is an arsehole – leave.
No more room for growth – leave.
Bored of what you’re doing – pivot and leave.
You have 9 years of experience, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Waste of money unless you’re in the following situations/circumstances:
1. Likely to have at least half your colleagues also want to unionise and will actually do it. Even then you could still free-ride on pay and conditions if you’re not worried about HR assistance.
2. Likely to face a hostile or toxic boss/colleague whose behaviour is ignored/encouraged by more senior managers. Good situation to have a good rep, but personally I’d rather not work for a company that needs a good rep.
3. You are a toxic/hostile/lazy/incompetent worker and want cheap legal representation for when your company disciplines you or tries to manage you out. Even if your case is weak, many organisation’s will just pay off an employee with a union lawyer.
Let’s not forget what unions have achieved for the UK workforce this past century.
Have a read.
We need to protect our terms and conditions for future generations.
Everything is great one day, 13% payrise, bonus , 4 day week until the day comes when you think shit I need union representation……it’s an insurance policy.
If folks are all out for themselves they should pass there union fought payrise, paternity, holiday pay onto union members. After all loads of jobs out there, folks chapping your door. Just move on, loads a jobs. (Just like 10+ years ago when the sector was dead lol…boom and bust).
In fact. In the new jobs with the bonus, remember to go back to a 6 day week like pre union times,, that way you can gift the hours you worked to union members who can live their life with their families in this glorious sunshine. Work to live and all that….live to work…F that.
Also if you don’t want your juicy 23% employer contributed pension, pass it onto a union member. Or have the bonus and live for tooooday! Or pension up, protected by union representation and retire with death in service benefit of 150k for your family (plus life insurance obv) or retire on half a million.
Everyone in this country have benefited from unions in one way or another. Go and have a read.
It’s not just about money, bonuses.
Time with your family is the most important factor. God bless the unions.
I work in IT. When my employer (very big IT company) offered me the choice of redundancy or halving my salary, my Union (the CWU ‘cos I used to work for a big mobile company) was able to give me legal advice that meant I kept both my job and my salary. Well worth ~£6/month.
Now I could go contracting but it’s not my thing. If you are a contractor there is – or was – a sort of union called something like the professional contractor association that tried to provide egalitarian & contractual advice. Working together helps.