is it worth being a rep

[enzio]

is it worth being a rep ? it seems like a thank less task now when we seem not to be able to puy much of a fight up any more

[Exrep]

No it isnt it worth as R/M now think CWU reps are there Glove puppets.

Just because HQ have lost there fight doesnt mean we at local level have.

Ive got loads in me enough for the long haul.

[welshy808]

I don't know,
All I cansay is our rep isn't a glove puppet, he also doesn't always go with the louder members or the favourites. if you can be the same "GREAT" if your like our last rep (Manager in a local office) God Help You.

[John_B]

I'm about to be our office rep and I am not going to be any ones glove puppet.

[steven100]

Being a good rep you have too know the in and outs, law etc. And be very cunning. Appoint a deputy rep, someone who can back you up whenever the dom has you in the office for little chats .

[gideon 60]

is it worth being a rep ? it seems like a thank less task now when we seem not to be able to puy much of a fight up any more

get one person off a conduct code, get one person some back dated allowance they haven,t recieved, be seen to stand up to some nasty manager, then yes its worth the hassel

[Thehair]

Yes but it's thankless for the majority of the time...And you can't please everybody all of the time. Good Luck

[Exrep]

Good luck on becoming unit rep remember knowledge is power bury your head in agreements and read them thoroughly . One thing ive learnt is few DIMS ever do read them fully .If you do you can tie them up in as many knots as you wish and this way you can keep them in line with agreements set down to protect the members.

Your deputy make sure its some one you would trust your life with as they will be the person you confide in the most.

Get in touch with your branch and request to go on union course 1 asap im sure there's courses starting in the next few months they are invaluable.

I learnt loads from this site and the majority of documents you need to read are in the download section so it makes it easier to access.

[clashcityrocker]

Depends what you want out of the job. If you think you are going to change the world, you will be disappointed.
You can win small victories for your colleagues but you really need to know your stuff. It is incredibly time consuming, very stressful and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't have a very understanding partner. (Thank you Mrs Clash)
You have to have a working relationship with your DOM or you won't get anything done and some will see this as being a glove puppet/ass licker.
You need to have a good relationship with your ADR otherwise none of your local issues will get resolved.
You need to work at least 40hrs/week and then still be a postman on top of that.

Is it worth it? - Yes.

[smileski]

Agree with everything clash has said, just like to add make sure you represent ALL of your members, not just the ones with the most to say.

It is a lot of hard work, you will find yourself taking your members problems home with you, but you do get out what you put in.

I have found that my members are (slowly!) starting to show faith in me and we are becoming stronger as a unit.

I wouldn't say i enjoy the role, but i certainly thrive on it!

I would say you have to have to really care about your members, and you have to keep you calm with managers, swearing and shouting at them gets you nowhere!

write everything down, keep copies of everything, never throw anything away that a manager gives you!

The look on a managers face, when you prove him wrong or have a victory makes it worth it!

[Woodcutter's Son]

Agree with everything clash has said, just like to add make sure you represent ALL of your members, not just the ones with the most to say.

It is a lot of hard work, you will find yourself taking your members problems home with you, but you do get out what you put in.

I have found that my members are (slowly!) starting to show faith in me and we are becoming stronger as a unit.

I wouldn't say i enjoy the role, but i certainly thrive on it!

I would say you have to have to really care about your members, and you have to keep you calm with managers, swearing and shouting at them gets you nowhere!

write everything down, keep copies of everything, never throw anything away that a manager gives you!

The look on a managers face, when you prove him wrong or have a victory makes it worth it!

Right on the buttion CCR