union fees

[smok3y666]

replying to the comment leave union think it will eventually happen in our office, the only help i have had from union in my 20 years service his from my otwn union man. what about the talks oni friday a certian union man walked out of the talks in glasgow ,on thwat morning we had our vans taken off of us trying to make us walk , and no direction from any higher union man on what to do (and u know who i mean if you are in scotland that is )

from what you have put down i take it that royal mail have taken executive action?just imagine what your place would be if you had no union.

I joined the union for help, I have not gotten that help. By cancelling my subs I will be no better or worse off than before I joined.

[seeker019]

I Still think we should get a FREE DIARY every year, we get bugger all else......................

[Jack Mehoff]

You pay for a little piece of mind. Just a little piece mind. (See what I did there?) Unions have got the working man (Of which I am one) where they are. Some security and a voice . Had it not been for the Labour movement and the unions in the last century the average working man would have never been able to make his own way in the world. It's a point totally lost on the vast majority of people.

it's saturday night and I've been out so if anyone wants to debate the point I'll do it in the morning.

Well quoted sir.
Also it was because of the labour movement and the unions that the common man got the right to vote in 1905. But somewhere along the way the two got seperated, I think people need to have another look at the original Clause IV.

Clause IV:
To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.

[POSTMAN]

Take the reps out of your office,rip up all agreements,then tell RM you're on your own and ask "what do you want us to do next".
Then after a while(bout 5 mins),you will see what you pay your subs for.

[bandit1157]

Take the reps out of your office,rip up all agreements,then tell RM you're on your own and ask "what do you want us to do next".
Then after a while(bout 5 mins),you will see what you pay your subs for.

i have worked for 33 years, large [nhs] and small companies. i have had contact with a lot of bosses, some good and some bad. i have no problem with authority and have gone the extra mile for the good ones but at royal mail i haven't seen a good one. i have never seen management as bad as royal mail. people skills range from adolph hitler to pol pot. bullying, inept, clueless, ruthless, lying. wandering about in a job that is beyond their capabilities looking who they can blame for their own shortfalls. trying to get people to do more work than is possible by bullshitting, undue pressure, coercion, or outright threats, their only concern is get the work done at any cost so they can collect their bonus and they will break your back to get it. no union would equall anyone being disciplined or sacked on some trumped up charge, for not catering to their over inflated ego or every whim. without the union the conditions would be ten times worse than they are now. it is your only backup, it might not be able to help every time and mistakes will be made [they are after all only human] but no union would be like going back to slavery. i am grateful for the union and it has helped me on more than one occasion. a big thanks to the cwu

[Lincox]

Being a member of a trade union will only be beneficial if you believe in the right to jointly determine the terms and conditions of your employment, and become proactive in putting this message across. In a previous employment back in the late 80s early 90s, I and my colleagues were going through the same rationalization, job cuts, harrassment and bullying from management. 2000 were given voluntary redundancy, 500 others (mainly union activists) were refused and given the alternative jobs which were deemed unsuitable. Our union employed top ranking solicitors and barristers to fight our case for unsuitable employment, and although this took 18 months to settle as there were a number of test cases at industrial tribunals throughout the country, the employer stance was found unacceptable and we were all paid out. I guess what I am saying is that there is a much bigger picture to look at, and behind the scenes our union leaders will be spending countless time with legal practitioners making sure that we dont give Royal Mail anything to come back at us from a legal stance. The amount of money we pay, I can assure you is money well spent, and as someone else has already said ' like an insurance policy'. You have the full backing of the union legal practitioners to fall back on if you come into dispute personally with Royal Mail. The cost of this to bear personally would make any challenge totally unaffordable to most posties. Lets not get despondent, we have a tough fight ahead of us and we all need to retain positivity. We can and will win, because we have a just cause. I have voted yes, not just for strike action, but to stop the destruction of a great public service and retain jobs during these tough years ahead.

[bedfordrl]

I am the union rep and DRAW rep in a fairly small office ,40ish staff plus 15 in sub office and i would like to think that my members get their moneys worth.

I notice when someone's behaviour changes and have a chat,i have had outpourings of family and financial woe from members and management.

I have sat in on stage warnings and helped to fight to save jobs,all successful so far though whether or despite me i have no idea !.

I get shown utterly absurd plans and laugh at them and then debate them and if necessary put in a disagreement.

I go to union meetings at my expense as i do not see why i should claim from members money.

And then i get to hear "bloody union what does it do for us?" and wonder why i bother.

Stress !!! don't give me bloody stress.

[Lincox]

Well said Bedfordi. The ones that complain are the ones that sit back and do nothing unless they are affected personally. It,s great to hear from someone who not only pays their union dues, but also contributes so much more for other people. To the moaners, I say take a leaf out of this reps book and put some effort in and you might just feel good in yourself for the small amount of monetary contribution you are being asked to pay.

[97gaz]

I

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I joined the union for help, I have not gotten that help. By cancelling my subs I will be no better or worse off than before I joined.

Have the courage of your convictions and hand back all the benefits the union has won for you. You won't want paid leave, any pay rises, the five day week, the 40 hour week and you will be quite happy to get by on five bob an hour.

[smok3y666]

I joined the union for help, I have not gotten that help. By cancelling my subs I will be no better or worse off than before I joined.

Have the courage of your convictions and hand back all the benefits the union has won for you. You won't want paid leave, any pay rises, the five day week, the 40 hour week and you will be quite happy to get by on five bob an hour.

You can have them. My subs will be cancelled by the end of the week.

[marko]

From what ive been told Royal Mail have enlisted some hired help in the form of guys who go around wherever there is industrial unrest i.e. wildcat strikes .
These guys are there for one purpose .

To create unrest between a Union and its members .
To have members , like some contributors to this forum , question the point of a Union .

These guys are essentially UNION BREAKERS ,

BROUGHT INTO THE EQUATION BY ROYAL MAIL .

As far as i am led to believe , THESE GUYS DONT COME ON THE CHEAP .
Our £188 a year wouldnt pay for their lunch .
The question i find myself asking is not , "WHATS THE POINT OF THE UNION "

but , "If ROYAL MAIL ARE WILLING TO INVEST LARGE AMOUNTS OF CASH TO RID US OF OUR UNION ,

"DO WE REALLY NEED A UNION "

[b]answers on a postcard to the usual address .

[Sci_Dog]

we pay £188 a year for a poxy cwu diary

Then come out of it! Nobody is making you pay anything are they? Contact your area pay department and ask that that CWU subs cease with immediate effect. End of.

Think that is a lil harsh. Surely we are entitled to know what OUR Union use OUR money for.

[eian687]

we pay £188 a year for a poxy cwu diary

Then come out of it! Nobody is making you pay anything are they? Contact your area pay department and ask that that CWU subs cease with immediate effect. End of.

Think that is a lil harsh. Surely we are entitled to know what OUR Union use OUR money for.

we dont a diaty at our office

[Geordie]

Two years ago most members took a maximum of 8 days industrial action. They lost around £60 take home pay per day.

Some will have lost less, as they may have been on holiday or days off during the action. Some will have lost more, as they may have lost overtime on the days they were out.

The average loss was around £500 for all 8 days out.

Everyone gained 6.9% over 2 years, which is around £20 per week, or £1,000 a year, for every year you have left in Royal Mail.

Every member gains from terms and conditions negotiated nationally, to local representation when needed.

Of course there will be those that the Union can't help, as you can't keep everyone happy all the time.

But you're all a damn sight better in than out