is trade union membership worth it?

A question about : is trade union membership worth it?

I am a member of a trade union: Unison. I joined about five years ago. I pay about 20 pounds per month. On that basis I have paid about 1200 pounds.

I don't really see the benefit of being a member. I guess that could change if times ever become hard.

I am interested to hear from others who are members of a trade union and how you get value for money.

Best answers:

• See it as an insurance, great you don't need to use it but there if you do.
  As for the rest, I'm not getting drawn into that discussion, there have been plenty of threads about it already if you want to search the forum.
• It is like car and house insurance. We all moan about the cost but it is well worth it when you need it.
• Does unison negotiate your pay and conditions with your employer? If so you only have a say in negotiations as a member. Union members are generally paid more than non members.
  What happens if you have a problem at work and need legal advice or have to go to tribunal? Unison would cover the costs which would be considerable if you had to pay them out of your own pocket. You can also get support and advice from your local steward, who will also be able to represent you at grievance or disciplinary hearings.
  You also get free access to a certain amount of legal advice on non work related matters.
  You can access training at no cost to yourself via the union. speak to your steward or learning rep for advice.
  Unison uses some of your subs to campaign and lobby for improved pay and working conditions in the UK.
  Working in a unionised workplace is generally much safer than a non unionised workplace. Union health and safety reps will be working hard to ensure your safety and wellbeing.
  There are some discounts available via the union on various products and services (mostly financial but also discounted holidays etc).
  There are a number of rulebook benefits e.g. Death benefit, accident benefit.
  Unison welfare can help you in an emergency e.g. With an emergency grant or a respite holiday if you have been experiencing difficulties in your life.
  There are a number of self organised groups e.g. Black members, LGBT members, women members etc to promote equal opportunities and help boost confidence, fight discrimination etc.
  Your branch may organise social events etc
  I could go on....
• Has it been "worth" it for me? Not so far because Unison focusses more on the public sector and I work for a charity that doesn't recognise unions for negotiating purposes so the pay campaigns etc are not relevant. And I have not needed back up for any battles with my employer. I don't have an accessible branch rep and feel the voluntary sector is very much the unison poor relation.
  Has it been worth it for a colleague who was disciplined and came close to losing her job? Absolutely, because she got the Rottweiler rep who made the employer think very carefully about how they implemented their policies.
  Which is why I am still a member. For the back up if it should go pear shaped.
• I did consider it. But there is not the option of having any work time for union activities and I have neither the time nor inclination to do it out of hours. I work full time, I have family responsibilities and I am also taking a qualification where the majority of the work is in my own time. I suspect many people in the voluntary sector are in the same boat, hence the lack of volunteers.
• There was an organisation wide vote in my last place re union recognition, but there were too few votes for it to happen. When you are in small individual workplaces or lone working where people feel isolated and there isn't an easy way of connecting everyone, collective bargaining isn't really on anyone's horizon.
  Unions need to start thinking of new more realistic ways to involve people where there aren't branches, reps, and all the other things you mention. I've been a union member for 20 odd years and not once have I been made aware of or invited to anything social, self organised events for example. I've never met a union rep or branch steward. I have had the agm invites but couldn't attend as I was working.
  This is not a complaint, its an illustration of the differences between sectors.
• You used to be able to reduce your Union fees by stating that you wish to join the 'Non-Political Fund'. I assume you still can, if you don't want your money to go, directly or indirectly, to the Labour Party.
• They are far too interested in things like Gaza and Palestine to be worthy of a single penny of the working mans wage.
  I have no doubt they might be "worthy" causes but the amount of workers rights stripped away just in the last few years without as much as frown by the unions makes them defunct.
  They were hijacked by Communists and are beyond return.
• Dads Nursing home fees were topped up by USDAW.
  He was a member for 20 plus years.
  Also USDAW looked after Mum after Dad went into the home by giving her a monthly allowance and sending news letters, vouchers and a hamper at Xmas