You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Well not any more:

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/vir...unions--907443

Looks like VM are easing out the CWU.

To be honest Virgin Media has only ever really paid lip service to the unions, there isn't a great membership amongst VM employees.

When we had the Broadcast division there was a decent membership of BECTU amongst them, but there aren't very many people I know in the CWU.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

The membership of the CWU within VM has grown a lot recently. I think that is why there is a sudden move to get them unrecognised.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Rumour has it there has been a sudden increase in requests to join the Union by engineering staff since this was announced. Wonder if this will backfire on VM.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

From what I heard it isn't about de recognition its simply that one part of vm has salaries determined by the union and the other 75 percent don't and people have been complaining, so they are looking to end the voluntary agreement that was in place before VM was created.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

How is this vote being conducted, is it via a independent company or are VM doing the counting of the vote ?

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

The guy who I know had been to a roadshow, he said an independant company, he also said that they can end the agreement at anytime as its voluntary but the virgin way is to ask their people what they want apparently?

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Correct, from the leaflet I have just seen VM argue that only 25-30% are members of the union, and therefore they don't have the mandate to collectively bargain for all.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I know that quiet a lot more people in other areas of te business have been signing up. Mainly for help when facing work related issues. ie sickness or disciplinary.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Yes and and that's every uk citizens right, this is simply about lining up one of the area with the rest of the business and agreeing changes to pay and rations with their internal forum rater than through a union that only has a percentage of their workforce as members

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I do know that in my area of the business there has been a large increase in union membership and some areas now have 97% membership. Those areas were about to request they go through the recognition process.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Didn't realise that, I always get told vm is a good place to work, so a bit surprised by that percentage

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

It is a very good place to work, its just that people wanted to be part of a union. They all had there own individual reasons for being part of the union but i don't think this forum is a place to comment on there reasons . :)

I would recommend Virgin to anyone as a great place to work with excellent people to work with.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

The company will be having major issues over this as come the end of the month they should be well and truly spanked once the CWU takes them to a tribunal over the closure of the Albert Dock, so very likely they are running scared as the result will probably ignite union membership and that is what this sly vote is all about.

Why not read the CWU response below which any of you could have found on their website but facts sometimes get in the way of argument.

click me for the CWU Response.

Click here for a response via video.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Bloody hell, that letter reads like something from the 70's, the tech I know said they were letting the staff decide even though they could end it anyway as its a voluntary agreement from NTl days?

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

True. Whenever i've been in contact with John East, he always sounds like a 1970's shop steward and I found his manner very arrogant too. I can't imagine he'd be a good representative at all for union members.

Also, the action that the CWU has taken regarding Albert Dock has seriously soured relations between the two parties. Unfortunately, VM are not happy bunnies at all, i've been expecting something like this.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Once the is a high enough percentage they legally have to recognise trade unions so this is just a way they are hoping to get out of having to legally recognise unions, as above all this will do is enforce the need for union membership and will backfire on the company.

---------- Post added at 06:30 ---------- Previous post was at 06:23 ----------

Get real the company tried to close the Albert Dock in an underhand way not realising that they would be caught with their trousers down and will be punished for their high handedness in a few weeks time.

This is the real reason for the company desperately trying to undermine union membership before the unfavourable result comes out which will result in a sharp rise in new members of the CWU as they realise it is the way to go.

If anyone is stupid enough to believe anything this company says and decides to drop their membership then they will just be giving this company a remit to ride roughshod over any agreements already in place.

I and all my ex colleagues and CWU union members from the Albert Dock are awaiting the result of the tribunal with bated breath as the evidence against the company is overwhelming, a little bit of bad publicity for Virgin Media just before Christmas will be our perfect gift at that time.:):):)

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I was talking to an engineer yesterday who felt that the vote is a smoke screen and that they will drop the recognition no matter what. He thinks VM have a reason for this vote that they are not talking about :(

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

They do have the little matter of having to comply with UK legislation. Quite simply if the numbers add up then VM have to negotiate with the union.

It seems to me that VM management are a great recruiting tool for the union. The more that people fear there are ulterior motives by the underhand management, then the more likely they are to see the benefits of collective bargaining.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I might be being thick here but looking on google it suggests you worked for Adecco not VM ? My last comment on the subject as it appears very personal to you, would be - you are only hearing one side of the story and a court will hear both - good luck hope it works out the way you want

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Well we have a interesting few weeks ahead i feel. Cannot wait to see the out come of the vote.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Gloating born out of sour grapes is never a pleasant trait to witness.

I'm surprised to see you Sirius, last time I encountered you, you said you were changing your name :confused:

Anyway, do you believe that VM need to continue to recognise the CWU, even though you believe that they are an excellent employer?

Yes, it was agency work he was doing for Adecco as opposed to being employed by VM.

I agree with your sentiments, he does appear to be "counting his chickens before they are hatched" :td:

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

They aren't recognised in most of the company though - it only covers the Access division and then only in ex-Telewest areas (as the CWU letter says)

VM don't stop anyone joining the CWU if that's what they wish, but personally to me this is about treating all employees the same.

Whether or not the CWU should be recognised by the whole of VM is a different question

---------- Post added at 16:15 ---------- Previous post was at 16:05 ----------

Oh and the CWU aren't exactly saints themselves.

This:

is no way the full story about how pay is arrived at for those directly employed by VM

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I feel the next few weeks are going to be interesting to say the least :LOL:

Oh and @RichardCoulter I have you on ignore and have no intention of ever replying to anymore of you posts so don't bother continuing to try and bait me as you will never get a reply in any form from this point onwards.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I have been advised that it will be processed by an independent company called "Electoral Reform Services".

---------- Post added at 16:47 ---------- Previous post was at 16:36 ----------

You are an odd fellow, since when has asking a question been "baiting"? :confused:

You were supposed to have put me on ignore months ago, i'm glad that you finally have as you just seem to want to stir things up for no reason.

---------- Post added at 16:51 ---------- Previous post was at 16:47 ----------

The last Labour Government brought in the legislation to which you refer. You can expect the coalition to repeal this very soon as part of their "efforts to make employability easier for employers, to help overcome the economic downturn".

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

we do live in interesting times- i also can't wait for the out come of this vote
and the heartbeat survey, it should be an entertaining time ahead :shocked:

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

The 2012 Heartbeat survey is primarily concerned with finding out if financial incentives to staff, in particular the sharesave and performance-related pay schemes, are value for money.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

exactly there is no negotiation its take it or work elsewhere :td:

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Strange, I don't remember that being a question

---------- Post added at 18:12 ---------- Previous post was at 18:09 ----------

Except that isn't what is being implied.

Certainly the jobs I've done in VM, my managers have had no discretion in my pay - unless it's related to any performance element

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Forgot about that, i filled it out accordingly ;)

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

me too -no holds barred on that day ;)


and as far as i'm concerned that aspire scam was a declaration of war

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Cool, honest views are what is important :)

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

yes honesty is the only way to instigate change for the better - there are a few dinosaurs left in the management team but the finger is pointing in their direction this year.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I did notice you could narrow the answers down to be more specific :tu:

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

and you got 10 chances to vent your spleen at the end ,which i did and was in a particularly foul mood when i did it due to management insensitivity to staff with health problems , some one once said the pen is mightier than the sword , and my typing finger is an atom bomb .

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Well they did keep telling us we had to be truthfull and not hold back. :)

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

It will not have any affect on the thrashing Virgin Media will soon be getting and I for one cannot wait.:D

---------- Post added at 20:53 ---------- Previous post was at 20:52 ----------

As he knows nothing about the goings on within Virgin Media he will be using his imagination.;)

---------- Post added at 20:57 ---------- Previous post was at 20:53 ----------

That is a little bit two faced considering how untruthful the company was over the closure of the Albert Dock especially with regards to the facts sourced by the CWU which makes splendid reading.

---------- Post added at 21:03 ---------- Previous post was at 20:57 ----------

Actually I know quite a bit about what went on as I was a not just a member of the CWU but also a CWU union representative at the Albert Dock but I was not directly involved in the discussions over the closure, so my knowledge is not 2nd or 3rd hand.

So I know both sides of the story and the history and timeline of the proposed closure which I cannot and would not post on any forum or website.;)

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

could be looking after chrimbo..............................again ;):D

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Christ that union response looks amateur. Is that what passes for unions these days? I wouldn't be expecting much if that's the calibre of representation you have.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Have you not realised that all this shows is a company running for the hills because they know come the end of the month the CWU will have them over a barrel with the evidence to hand or would you rather be tugging your forelock to the bosses of such a company.

I am looking forward to the upcoming case with bated breath.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

You are not answering the question of who you were employed by. It appears to be a adeco so isn't this about them rather than vm?

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

No matter who he was employed by at that time it would have still been VM who controlled the process of shutting down the site as it was a VM site and had been for years. I don't know what fully went on during the closure but i am sure it will all come out after the tribunal.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

No it isn't.

---------- Post added at 08:01 ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 ----------

If a pay increase is awarded to employees throughout the company, which on many occasions throughout the past it hasn't.

It is usually only around 2-3%.

The % is then usually given to the Head of the dept as a pot of money that he can then distribute to his team based on performance, current salary descrepancies etc.

So it would be quite possible for someone to get a 5% increase and someone get zilch within the same team/dept.

That's the way it's always been, I don't see anything wrong with that.

I work hard and I fulfil my objectives and I ensure that when it's appraisal time I am at the forefront to receive a pay award, if one is available.

Rather that than an across the board increase negotiated by a union and senior managment that means that the lazy fecker that sits across from me gets the same pay increase as me for doing sod all.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

It is Virgin Media as it was their decision to close as Addecco are just the agency supplying the workforce.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

good for you ,you look after yourself the union wont loose any sleep over it .

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I can't imagine they would as they don't seem to be interested in people who simply want to do a great job and provide for their family.

Have just read thet letter that Peter posted again and what he is sayng is the complete opposite to the letter my mate got from VM.

Notice the union guy got the reps to sign the letter rather than himself, my mates is signed by his Director, that says a lot to me

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

If you are talking about the links they are directly from the CWU website.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

The letter i received from the union today was personally signed by John East of the Union.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I will post that letter as I am not an employee as it makes interesting reading.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

[COLOR="Red"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top banana (Post 35497174) I can't imagine they would as they don't seem to be interested in people who simply want to do a great job and provide for their family.[

they eat babies as well-and dont forget every time virgin propose a 10% pay increase the union beats them down to 2% because we are all evil :shocked:

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

In my experience of dealing with trade unions, the CWU is the most unprofessional outfit I have ever come across.

He keeps saying this, despite being told that gloating (especially premature gloating) is an unpleasant trait.

When he was asked about any effect this could have on customers and/or former colleagues, he openly stated "I don't care".

My involvement with trade unions and political parties over the years has led me to believe that 'Animal Farm' is not a work of fiction :D

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

It can only getting more and more interesting and intense as the battle lines are drawn.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Do you really expect anyone that was made redundant in the underhand way that Virgin media went about it to really care about the company.

To be blunt it will have little detrimental effect in the long term to a company as large as Virgin Media, because any bad publicity will go the way of the bad publicity they received when the announcement of the closure was made and will quickly fade from most people memories.

I am all for extruding my pound of flesh from the company as are the vast majority of ex employees from the Albert Dock, and if you think we should forgive and forget what they did because they gave us employment then you are a rather deluded individual.

They got rid of a highly trained and knowledgeable workforce with scant disregard about what would happen to those individuals and to be honest the majority would still be working for them now if they had simply just moved premises if the Albert Dock was truly not sustainable, my self included.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Not an employee but you stated you are a union rep, so not suprised you posted this - hope its factual. VM seem to be taking a dignified approach to this issue rather than resorting to getting ex employees to promote propaganda on their behalf.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

You have no knowledge of my involvement with VM. Do not make unsubstantiated comments.

The information was supplied by the employee insight and engagement manager at Virgin Media, I think that she will have more of an idea of what's going on than someone who hasn't worked there for nearly a year.

I repeat, the 2012 survey is looking at whether financial incentives lead to greater engagement with staff, in particular those who participate in its Sharesave scheme and performance-related pay ie is it value for money?

It is hoped that the 2012 survey will have a response rate of at least 90%.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

It is, that's the same letter all members of the CWU were sent.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

You are coming across as bitter, selfish and vindictive- most unpleasant.

I advise you to remove the letter immediately.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

No I was a union rep and that was not sent to me but sourced externally and the is no valid reason not to post it as it states Virgin Media are attempting to undermine people by not following the correct route with outside scrutineers as that means an easily rigged vote.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

i listened to a recorded phone message from one of the hod's yesterday he claims the union are going on strike and we are going to picket vm premisses ,i have never heard such a load of bull crap in my life this whole fiasco smacks of desperation from vm management ,i'm afraid they have completely lost the trust of any staff member who has more than one brain cell ,but they do have the undying support of the vegetables and bum kissers ,thankfully they are in the minority .

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I believe your relationship is purely a figment of your imagination, nothing more.

---------- Post added at 19:30 ---------- Previous post was at 19:26 ----------

You come across as desperate to make people believe you are in close contact with upper management but continually try to pry information from people on here that your so called friends would have already told you if your so called connections actually existed.

You really believe that my colleagues and myself should not feel anger over the way we were treated especially with regards to the lies used as part of the closure, you are delusional if you think otherwise.


Not in bold then??.................. oh of course you are not part of the Cableforum team and the forum host position was on another forum remember and even that was shortlived.:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

So you keep saying over and over and over again. I have no interest in your view upon this matter and I doubt anyone else on the forum cares about who I do or don't know either- it's simply not relevant.

I must remind you that what you post on here is legally regarded as having been published- haven't you been listening to the news?

Appropriate action has been taken regarding your allegations and decision not to take down the letter.

I didn't tell you to take it down, I requested you to. Your decision not to do so has been noted.

Your posting style and nonsensical comments are now coming across as extremely immature.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

no need to remove it the author asked that it be put out to as many staff as possible and there are a lot of vm staff on this forum as members and or guests .

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

A decision if needed that will be made by a real moderator of this forum.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

How do you know all this? Its clear VM are not going to post their views on a forum so you are only seeing what the union are saying.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Why, do unreal moderators exist? :rolleyes:

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

But internally the letter states collective bargaining is a voluntary agreement so they can end it anyway, however they want the view of their people rather than just giving the union notice. To me that seems a reasonable approach or am I missing something?

The letter also states that this in no way affects their right to union representation on any other issues so can't understand all this de recogtition and union busting talk

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

any union member wishing to place an order for an oil drum and a pile of broken pallets please do so before monday 19/11/12 ....

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

So veiled threats and stupidity.

This is a private forum and I can post what I want as long as it is within the guidelines of the forums rules as set out by the forum team and owners, if they so wish they can remove or edit any post on this forum if they deem it needs removing or editing.

As I am posting as a private individual who has not posted their identity or even their own private email address on this forum how on earth could any action be taken against me as the team will not disclose my email address to anyone as that is the forum agreement and secondly that is basically a proxy email address that forwards emails to my own personal email account.

I remember a post in the Closure of the Albert Dock thread where you amazingly tried to state that no one called peter was ever a member of the CWU as John East had told you this was a fact, this was a childish attempt to get me to post my name on an open forum and at the time I informed you that the were quite a few people at the Albert Dock in the union called Peter, personally I think you have delusions of grandeur as you try to insist that you have the ear of both Virgin Media high management and alternatively the ear of the CWU.

So get real and try and understand how a forum works and possibly send a PM to the team for help and guidance as to how this forum is run or you could just click this link below and read the forum rules so CLICK ME

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I've worked at VM for 17 years, 12 at management level.

I know loads of people, I talk with executive directors on a daily basis. I think I have more if an idea than you.................

---------- Post added at 22:24 ---------- Previous post was at 22:18 ----------

No need it' s approved correspondence and in the public domain.

Only unapproved comments such as given in regular Grill sessions need to be censored.

---------- Post added at 22:26 ---------- Previous post was at 22:24 ----------

No need it' s approved correspondence and in the public domain.

Only unapproved comments such as given in regular Grill sessions need to be censored.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Which obviously I do not have access to as I am not an employee and even when I was an employee I would never post anything not in the public domain as it is the quickest way to lose your job and job prospects.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

looks like some people at VM are happy

https://twitter.com/HollyBranson/sta...944065/photo/1

Actually that could be a picture from the future - Virgin Medias apprentices and the potential future figure head of Virgin Group

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Yay for gender equality in the workplace?

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I think its fair to say that John East wanted the letter to get to as many people as possible. My mate has had 3 unsolicited mails from 3 different union sources, with different content each time but every one a veilled threat of what VM sre going to do once the union are out of the way. The funny thing is each letter ends with join the union now for the reduced price of 5.19 - bit like VM's offers to new customers

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I have removed a bunch of recent posts.

I, and the team, are sick of the attitude of certain members.
They know who they are, and the attitude will cease, or some forum memberships will be terminated.

Carry on please, and stick to the topic, not each other.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

locally in my team we are 80% cwu membership , and given that the area where i live and work has never been known as a big supporter of trades unions i think it shows a measure of support that the company are in denial about .

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

97% in our office :)

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

80% in my team -97% in your team

is this representative of " THE SMALL AMOUNT" of union members that want to represent the staff .

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

It depends on which side of the coin your on :LOL:

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

i sat through a 1-1/2 hour [so called road show] which was actually a badly written and poorly acted play designed to fool the gullible and dim witted .
and let me tell you only one person fell for it in a room of 30 people ,and that person was the voice rep who swallowed the bull hook line and sinker [but lets face it thats why he was manipulated into the job] ,every one else union members and none union members alike said that they did not trust management to be honourable in any pay discussions , im not saying they all decided to join the union but in no way do they wish for it to stop negotiating on their behalf.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

So you will be happy with 2% then, when the rest of the business get a reward based on their yearly performance. According to the guy I know that's what this is all about? He got a 5 in my story and got 2% due to collective bargaining, his mate in the call centre also got a 5 and got a 4% rise. Note you are a proud union member though so probably happy with the way it's done?

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

every thing you post is according to the third/fourth hand information at your disposal -if the guy you know has an opinion then maybe you can get him to join CF and avail us with his opinion first hand ,failing that i dont see your posts as having any basis in fact or reality .

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

The thing that surprises me is that you work for a company where if you entered share save yo got a massive return on investment, cheap services, all the other virgin stuff cheap and yet people still don't trust them. Not many other companies have those sorts of perks?

---------- Post added at 11:01 ---------- Previous post was at 10:56 ----------


He can't be bothered as he is happy with his lot. His view is that if people are unhappy move on and work elsewhere. Btw the post is accurate and no doubt other rational vm employees will confirm.

The photo will holly Branson speaks volumes, it's tomorrow's vm not littered with people who moan all the time or assume there's always an hidden agenda

My interest is that I have shares in vm and therefore want them to succeed

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

can't be bothered speaks volumes - don't worry about your shares people like me keep the profits high and the equipment working

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Great, try and do it with a smile on your face, there are an awful lot of unemployed people who would love to be in your position, possible ex miners who lost their jobs due to union activity

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

None of what you just posted had anything to do with why i am a member of the union. My reasons for joining the union are varied and personal.

Its funny how managers are going out of there way at the moment to find out who in there team are members and who are not ;)

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

there are job vacancies on networks
if you can
work on
hfc equipment [all street based architecture]
lasers
receivers
ubr's
fpm's
rpm's
can fibre splice
build a fibre network/mainain
can copper joint
build a copper network
maintain copper network /fault and repair
build and maintain hfc network[ fibre/coaxial]
can work on /build configure /commission sdh /mux transmission from system x switch
can work on your own
and can be on emergency call out for all of the above on your own .
call out pay £22 quid a day 33 quid on sunday -no pay from 1600 -1800hrs mon - fri lieu time only

starting pay £ 21,000 pa

oh and i almost forgot you must have this weeks virgin values memorised

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Fair enough Sirius - I would like benefits like that though - I heard the people who joined got 3 times what they puy in - thats some return!

---------- Post added at 12:23 ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 ----------

You appear to have been there a long time though - so must enjoy it otherwise you would move on?

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

My manager doesn't care whether any my team are or not, nor have heard of any of the other managers in my area wanting to know either

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I have been a long term union member with 3 different unions firstly Transport and General Workers Union within the food industry both as a shop steward and then as senior health and safety representative on site, after I was made redundant I went in warehousing for a major supermarket and was a USDAW health and safety representative and went on to be a health and safety representative in another warehouse for a well known diy company, after this I went to Virgin Media where I became a CWU health and safety representative once again.

So as you can see I have had plenty of experience with different unions within different industries and would never allow myself not to be a union member as the is always support for you whenever you need it.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

the thing is some people can't get past the miners strikes and think unions are only out to cause trouble ,they don't consider the wealth of things the union are involved in to make our working lives better [which for some will be up to 70 years old before they retire] ,so it might as well be as good in the workers favour as it can be you have a long working life .

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I had to be in a union when I was an apprentice, however I have not been in one since yet have a very good career, suppose if you feel the need for support and want to pay the subs then that is what it is there for

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

There's no doubt they do a lot of good in the workplace, but the problem is, instead of running like a sort of workplace insurance scheme, with services available to members in return for a fee, they have actively positioned themselves as political organisations. The vast majority of trade unions continue to be affiliated to the Labour Party. For that reason I could never join one - even if I were to opt out the political levy, I would not want the fact of my membership to lend legitimacy to any of the industrial dinosaurs that lead the movement.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

This is sort of thing that I can't understand with unions, this branch of the post office is closing - http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co....ail/story.html

Yet they are talking of strike action at this one - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-20357268

Wonder which will be the next one to be closed down?

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I wouldn't want to be part of a trade union that wasn't political.

One of the main functions of a trade union is to lobby parliament to improve the lot of it's members. It will do this irrespective of you paying the political levy.

The dinosaurs still exist in the trade union movement but their influence is becoming more diluted as they become less relevant. Comparing modern trade unions to the NUM of the 70s is comparing chalk to cheese. Even those classed now as left wingers would have been consider and moderate 30 years ago.

There probably isn't a lot a trade union can do for you personally, Chris, but for millions of people they are relevant and important.

---------- Post added at 17:16 ---------- Previous post was at 17:05 ----------

The Gloucester office is closing after a consultation, the Bristol office is in dispute because of changes to workload. I'm not sure what comparison you're trying to make here?

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Althouugh CWU have only 204K members looks like their subs are being spent in the wrong way too

http://www.londonlovesbusiness.com/b...s/3769.article

---------- Post added at 17:24 ---------- Previous post was at 17:22 ----------

That they push companies to make uncomfortable decisions - why would they want to vote on strike action when the countrys on its arse is beyond me

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

people strike as a last resort as no one is listening to them .
its not fun i have been there but when your back is up against the wall and your looking down the barrel of a gun what have you got to lose.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

I was dead against unions up until about 2 years ago, then there was a couple of incidents at work that made me change my mind. I had also had a long conversation with a couple of union members before i joined to confirm that the union i was joining was not still living in the past and was in fact there to help more than hinder.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

So if your workload is suddenly doubled you'd be quite happy would you?

It's perfectly reasonable for management to look at changes. If the proposed changes impinge on an individual in a negative way then they have every right to resist those changes.

Re: You can't get me I'm part of the Union........
 

Even though they have a job when a couple of million don't, thats why I am not keen on their approach and the fact they CWU give 9 million a year to the goverment that caused all the problems in the first place - seems insane to me

---------- Post added at 17:33 ---------- Previous post was at 17:31 ----------

If it was a case of double your work load or we lose out to a private company and If it kept a roof over my familys head - yes