No Confidence in Local Rep.

[Guevarista]

Our Union rep has just signed off duty revisions that increase workload for around 15% of the posties in our office (not part of the 2010 revision btw). He did this without consulting those members involved, totally ignoring their legitimate protests regarding unfair treatment.

This is just the most recent example of his management friendly (to put it politely) attitude. Frankly, those of us who can be bothered with the union, after the 2010 and beyond debacle, want rid of him

Please could somebody let me know how we go about moving a vote of no confidence in him?

Thanks all

[easter bunny]

all agreements made between the rep and the management must be ratified by the members in the office,,,,

[jack straw]

Our Union rep has just signed off duty revisions that increase workload for around 15% of the posties in our office (not part of the 2010 revision btw). He did this without consulting those members involved, totally ignoring their legitimate protests regarding unfair treatment.

This is just the most recent example of his management friendly (to put it politely) attitude. Frankly, those of us who can be bothered with the union, after the 2010 and beyond debacle, want rid of him

Please could somebody let me know how we go about moving a vote of no confidence in him?

Thanks all

Absolutely typical. Same thing happened in our office. No consultation - nothing

[Patrick Clifton]

all agreements made between the rep and the management must be ratified by the members in the office,,,,

Members?

Surely 'local agreements' affect all in the office and not just union members*?!

(If by members you specifically meant union members.)

[AnotherLimey]

all agreements made between the rep and the management must be ratified by the members in the office,,,,

Members?

Surely 'local agreements' affect all in the office and not just union members*?!

(If by members you specifically meant union members.)

Yes members, union members, people that stick together for the good of ALL, the group of people that are reconised by RM to negotionate, the same people that have fought for everything you have, your point?

[easter bunny]

I do mean UNION members... Why should staff who wont pay subs vote as well... The CWU have an agreed collective bargaining with the Royal Mail... Surely, the cost of membership (cost of a bottle of beer in a pub ) is a small price to pay...The job I guess ( I have retired ) would be 10 times worse without any trade union involvement.

What used to make me cringe, was staff who only signed up for membership when they were on a charge or a stage interview.. Make me sick.

Even more than strikebreakers who were members asking for union help when they were in trouble.

NEVER.

[Pinky 1]

all agreements made between the rep and the management must be ratified by the members in the office,,,,

Members?

Surely 'local agreements' affect all in the office and not just union members*?!

(If by members you specifically meant union members.)

Yes members, union members, people that stick together for the good of ALL, the group of people that are reconised by RM to negotionate, the same people that have fought for everything you have, your point?

...... and yes Patrick, "local agreements" DO affect all in the office, and not just union members. Do yourself a favour and join your union.
Then you too can have a say in the way these agreements are ratified ....

[POSTMAN]

Guevarista,you need to contact your ADR urgently!
And anyone else this has happened to needs to as well.

[lekker]

I do mean UNION members... Why should staff who wont pay subs vote as well... The CWU have an agreed collective bargaining with the Royal Mail... Surely, the cost of membership (cost of a bottle of beer in a pub ) is a small price to pay...The job I guess ( I have retired ) would be 10 times worse without any trade union involvement.

What used to make me cringe, was staff who only signed up for membership when they were on a charge or a stage interview.. Make me sick.

Even more than strikebreakers who were members asking for union help when they were in trouble.

NEVER.

I always refused to represent them - point bank refused

[swashy]

As a former rep' I am becoming increasingly concerned by this issue. Representatives need to understand their role. They are elected to represent the wider interests of all their members during collective bargaining. They also have a duty of care in that they should inform and consult their members before they sign binding agreements. I have recently heard of many cases where rep's are acting like managers. I have spoken to several rep's whose arrogance far outweighs their abilities. As a union member it is important that you remember - you have a RIGHT to be consulted on issues which affect you.Your rep' should provide you with full and timely disclosure of information so that you can make an informed decision on any local agreement.
If you feel that your rep' has not treated you fairly your first port of call (after the rep') is your Area Rep' followed by your Branch Secretary. If you are still dissatisfied you must approach your Divisional Rep' and finally CWUHQ. Unless you are prepared to challenge unacceptable behaviour by your rep', it will continue and get worse.

[lekker]

As a former rep' I am becoming increasingly concerned by this issue. Representatives need to understand their role. They are elected to represent the wider interests of all their members during collective bargaining. They also have a duty of care in that they should inform and consult their members before they sign binding agreements. I have recently heard of many cases where rep's are acting like managers. I have spoken to several rep's whose arrogance far outweighs their abilities. As a union member it is important that you remember - you have a RIGHT to be consulted on issues which affect you.Your rep' should provide you with full and timely disclosure of information so that you can make an informed decision on any local agreement.
If you feel that your rep' has not treated you fairly your first port of call (after the rep') is your Area Rep' followed by your Branch Secretary. If you are still dissatisfied you must approach your Divisional Rep' and finally CWUHQ. Unless you are prepared to challenge unacceptable behaviour by your rep', it will continue and get worse.

[Patrick Clifton]

Yes members, union members, people that stick together for the good of ALL, the group of people that are reconised by RM to negotionate, the same people that have fought for everything you have, your point?

Maybe in your office! Seems that the scale of the 'unionism' and togetherness varies quite a lot depending on your rep. A few posters in this thread have given some very good examples of this:-

Absolutely typical. Same thing happened in our office. No consultation - nothing

As a former rep' I am becoming increasingly concerned by this issue. Representatives need to understand their role. They are elected to represent the wider interests of all their members during collective bargaining. They also have a duty of care in that they should inform and consult their members before they sign binding agreements. I have recently heard of many cases where rep's are acting like managers. I have spoken to several rep's whose arrogance far outweighs their abilities.

And if you want to go down the 'fight for everything I have' route - then that would be more work for a pay cut - cheers!!

I do mean UNION members... Why should staff who wont pay subs vote as well... The CWU have an agreed collective bargaining with the Royal Mail... Surely, the cost of membership (cost of a bottle of beer in a pub ) is a small price to pay...The job I guess ( I have retired ) would be 10 times worse without any trade union involvement.

What used to make me cringe, was staff who only signed up for membership when they were on a charge or a stage interview.. Make me sick.

Even more than strikebreakers who were members asking for union help when they were in trouble.

NEVER.

Why should staff that have chosen to not join the union be discriminated against? Are they lesser employees than those who have joined the union?

Maybe the CWU should exercise this 'collective bargaining' with RM sometime soon then instead of laying down and rolling over when RM says so!

I havnt seen much improvements come to the job lately, with the Unions interaction, that I would agree with your statement that it would be worse with no union

...... and yes Patrick, "local agreements" DO affect all in the office, and not just union members. Do yourself a favour and join your union.
Then you too can have a say in the way these agreements are ratified ....

Dont think I have said I am not currently a member

People are just so quick to jump on the bandwagon when some people can see both sides of the coin.

[Pinky 1]

No Patrick, you're quite right, you haven't said if you are a union member or not. It's just that your posts are written in the third party, as if you're on the outside looking in. If you are a member, please accept my apologies.

As for you not seeing what the union has done .......
[quote] I havnt seen much improvements come to the job lately, with the Unions interaction, that I would agree with your statement that it would be worse with no union [quote]
Well i've been a member for more years than you have been around, and trust me, without the union's involvement this place would be one hell hole to work in. Agreed, that everything recently is not sweetness and light, but union activities have always been for the long haul, not the short term.

[lekker]

The way I look at it everyone knows the union negotiates with RM, so if you don't want to join for whatever reason don't keep bringing up the old chestnut of "who represents the non-members". The union represents you as you benefit from whatever deal or pay rise is negotiated. In fact you do better because you don't pay anything to get these benefits - it's like watching telly without a licence.

So I'm sorry - well I'm not actually - but if you cannot be bothered to join the union then just shut it :mfo

[MinisterofCucumber]

Guevarista,

As there is only a 15% minority of you getting f****d over, you might not get enough support for a vote of no confidence. You also need to have a replacement rep ready. I would try using the grievance procedure first and see how brave your workmates are. If you can take a grievance beyond stage 1 and win, you will show your office that you can fight.