Any point being in union?

[emmaa_uk]

Was just thinking since I have taken a pay cut and being taxed and ins up to my eyes whether its worth being in the union since I dont feel I get much support from my rep at times and others would agree there. I just dont feel it necessary anymore.
Please advise

[TrueBlueTerrier]

My own personal opinion is that while its still a relatively low subscription rate then yes its worth staying in. I consider it partly as an insurance policy that may help if I need it when I get into difficulties at work. Also for me its a good way to organise within my branch for any political rallies, meetings and marches that interest me, and the Union of course. I do question the direction and organisation of the Union as a whole, and I MAY question the motives of reps at all levels, I am also critical of senior Union members and the agreements that they have come to with Royal Mail, but as the CWU is a Democratic Organisation then that's my right.

However there are a few things that would make me question if it was worth being a member any more. One of those would be an increase in subscriptions beyond what I think would be an acceptable level, and every increase beyond the rate of pay increase brings that day closer and closer. Also another reason to leave would be if I thought that the Union was becoming too close and comfortable as an organisation with Royal Mail. I would however, most seriously consider my membership if I thought that Union Reps at any level became more interested in keeping their position rather than improving the conditions and representation of members, or if a large tranche of FTR reps become "disengaged" from they day to day operation and methods of operation of their members - that I think is one of the biggest areas of concern for me.

[Stella102]

if you have any problems with management then it helps and works as an insurance policy if they try to get rid of you.

[enzio]

i would say yes now more then ever. with privatisation round the corner we need to be in a union or they will walk over us. for those of you who feel we are already f#### just think right now you have sick pay ,pension and a good hourly rate of pay for the skill level.

[Lincox]

I agree Teebs. I dont know what is happening in other areas, but it does seem that local reps are being utilised by the company to sign off local agreements that have not been put to the membership, and in return they are being awarded management positions.

[WHITEANT]

Come on boys thats not true ,managment !!, our union rep is world mail safety advisor .Doesnt do any deliverys,just prances around in shirt and tie doing nothing , now he would make a good manager!!

[arnold cheshire]

our cwu area rep is always with sector manager drinking coffee there both like managers

[Cheetah]

our cwu area rep is always with sector manager drinking coffee there both like managers

Exactly the same in our area. Yes it is essential that any union rep has a good working relationship with managers, but it's all got far too cosy . Union officials need to look at themselves and think who are they there to support and represent...... And I've got news for them it ain't the management!!!!

[arnold cheshire]

our cwu area rep is always with sector manager drinking coffee there both like managers

Exactly the same in our area. Yes it is essential that any union rep has a good working relationship with managers, but it's all got far too cosy . Union officials need to look at themselves and think who are they there to support and represent...... And I've got news for them it ain't the management!!!!

i totally agree

[Lincox]

To Dingo
How aware are the PEC of these local problems with union reps appearing to be more supporting to the company than the support they offer to members. I don,t know how epedemic this is, but it will cause more and more lack of trust in the union if it is allowed to fester. I would have thought a more rigorous selection process is necessary. I appreciate it must be difficult to get members to put themselves forward, but it does seem that those that do have their own agenda.

[Martin Walsh]

The PEC are aware of specific local problems , and some of the PEC met with all the area delivery reps prior to Christmas on all the delivery issues.

Now the problem is this , not everyone is behind the policy of not supporting revisons to bring the talks to a conclusion. This has caused some problems in some areas when letters from Branch's and a division. Some come from offices with high productivity who will protentially get something from the revisions others want to introduce lesser attendances and recieve the lump sums , others have not recieved any of the lump sums.

There is now a pro forma which details every office in the UK and has to be completed in terms of issues etc. On top of this Divisions were asked for their reviews. personally mine was in favour of withdrawing from revision activity but there was no point only some areas doing that and others continuing.

Equally there has been some progress on deliveries including the model week , BSI and Royal Mail have agreed to send words on this issues and the union will send them some words on Flow.

The other thing I think is vital is that the union spell out exactly what they are looking for from the talks so reps and members know the finishing line.

The strange thing is many branch's and divisions can themselves adopt a policy of withdrawing from revision activity and have done so many times before. You don't have to wait for this you can agree this at a branch or a unit meeting.

However the issues which are being dealt with at national level are not easy , they include an agreement on world class Mail's , attempting to get a further pay rise for 2013 , ensuring MTSF continues and therefore bringing the review forward , colleague share issues , resolving the relationship issue , pensions including the new scheme , Angard , new attendance procedure , delivery issues including absorption , mail centre closure changes to the agreement , network 2012 , RDCS closures and this is all being played out against the background of the EU state aid.

Anyone who has been involved in high level Negotations know that no one side gets everything they want as Negotations are often full of give and take. however this talks must now be broken down and Indivduals must be given a week to resolve different aspects or we should call a national briefing and make sure that any policy we carry has to be supported by all Branch's.

[fishtank]

Now the problem is this , not everyone is behind the policy of not supporting revisons to bring the talks to a conclusion. This has caused some problems in some areas when letters from Branch's and a division. Some come from offices with high productivity who will protentially get something from the revisions others want to introduce lesser attendances and recieve the lump sums , others have not recieved any of the lump sums.

The downside of leaving it all to local agreement...

Different Areas want different things,different branches want different things,different units want different things.
Really just a rabble fighting for their own agenda,no cohesion,no single direction,no attempt to organise,unify and use that unified strength to further the aims of the collective...not really a union at all just a bunch of mercenaries connected loosely by the same badge.

It had better change dingo or the future is very dark indeed....a fragmented union is of little use to the membership.

[Martin Walsh]

You could look at it in that way and say local agreements allow for a lack of unit etc or you could look at it that things which the union have agreed which are compulsory are not very popular like the delivery supplement. So could you imagine the union coming out and saying that all revisons have to come in on the same date , the same times of attendance , the same level of part timers , the same Saturday finish , the same start times , the same number of delivery points and the same productivity.

Do you think the union would be more popular or less popular if it did this ?

[fishtank]

I don't think union HQ should dictate the terms of a local revision...
I also don't think Branches or Areas should dictate the terms of a local revision...but they have.
I also don't think Branches or Areas should dictate the position of the membership as a whole and clearly by following their own agendas they have weakened our position at the top table...so they have.
Branches especially need to understand that they are followers in the union...they follow the direction of the members they represent and they follow the national direction.
They do not under any circumstance dictate direction.

[Martin Walsh]

Fish I do disagree with you on the Branch comment bacause the good Branch's normally agree a terms of reference for all their units and support their local offices and members along the route so I think Branch policy is good providing the final decision of any revision is the members in a unit.

Now I accept their are a number of not do good reps or Branch's but this is nothing new and we should attempt to change this.