Finally, union recognition at work

[fatboy]

After months and months of delaying tactics, the threat of legal action, we are now unionised !
So why do we need a union ?
The attitude of ' Break all the rules when we need you to but if we catch you breaking the rules you will face disciplinary action and dismissal'
We only get paid overtime for 2 weeks of the year, post christmas, I havn't finished work on time for 5 ish months, all the crews do between 2 to 5 hours unpaid overtime a week.
Our lowest paid are on £6.30ph, ten miles up the road the lowest paid are on £7.10, Im on £7ph, my Bristol counterpart earns £8.40.
Health and Safety is treated as a flexible thing, cost dependant.
This is just scratching the surface
So Im having a well earned beer

[BikerGran]

Not working for Parcelforce are you?

[MartDude]

Congratulations, from a former NALGO, & then UNISON, workplace representative (which was an odd experience, as I was also in middle management at the time). Long overdue, by the sound of it.

[blinkey501]

Health and Safety is treated as a flexible thing, cost dependant.
This is just scratching the surface
So Im having a well earned beer

Keep a diary of everything, And take photo's on the QT with a camera that has time and date on it. Its always nice to have a bit of dirt" to throw around should the need arise

[fatboy]

The managers are a little worried, more so because they know a pay claim is on the way and they will have to stop cutting corners, all of which will affect thier bonuses, the more they spend, the less the bonus will be.
I did explain to the manager that we would prefer negotiation and compromise to dispute and action, but too a large degree, his hands are tied. None the less, time for change

[mangocrazy]

Well done, and good luck. The pendulum has swung too far in favour of management, and worker's basic rights have been eroded in the name of 'efficiency' and 'progress' etc. No-one wants a return to the bad old days of the 70s, but there has to be a balance.

[fatboy]

Well said Mr Mango.
My union officer was telling me of a case he's dealing with...
A Polish girl, two and a half years on the same job, worked all the overtime asked of her, not one sick day, suddenly told ' Resign or be sacked, your face doesn't fit anymore'.
Simply unacceptable.
Where ever you work, what ever you work at, it is not unreasonable to expect to be treated fairly

[BikerGran]

I paid huige subs to Unison for years - one union rep did help me enormously after another one sent me an email saying "we think" -( we being he and the management!) when the HR dept completely messed up my retirement plans, but when it came to negotiating a payrise they were completely useless!

[fatboy]

Your union will only eve be as good as your rep.
I am not a 'yes' man to whingeing moaners or management.
Right is right, wrong is wrong, the buck stops here !