Union worth it?

[andy3665]

I've been with royal mail for 8 months and wondered what everyones opinion is? Also, how much does it cost? And what benefits do you get?

[makingsounds]

My opinion 100% YES - you'll pay pro-rata depending on your contracted hours.

http://www.cwu.org/benefits.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[whatamess!!]

My advice would be to join, better off being with the rest of your work colleagues and working together to improve the office, price varies depending on contracted hours. You will also get representation when the boss tries to screw you over. Get a form from your rep asap.

[krussel]

Think of it as a kind of insurance policy. If you mess up or fall fail of the strict attendance procedure they can help.

[monkeymutha]

I am not a member but have thought and do consider joining. Am on 3 month contracts and have been there for over two years. However, we don't have a rep at our office and I tend the fight my own battles with the management. If I got on a stage warning, or we actually got a rep at our office I would probably join but until then....

[TheCobra]

Definitely join, it's easy to not join and see that little extra money in your pocket as most the time people might not see a direct influence in their day-to-day life, but if the s**t hits the fan, you'll be needing them matey. And the s**t could hit the fan for anyone, at any moment.

[whatamess!!]

I am not a member but have thought and do consider joining. Am on 3 month contracts and have been there for over two years. However, we don't have a rep at our office and I tend the fight my own battles with the management. If I got on a stage warning, or we actually got a rep at our office I would probably join but until then....

Join , then get hold of your area rep as if you have been employed for over 2 years you should now get a permanent contract.

[north london driver]

i joined after passing the cards at our headoffice but in them days when the union walked in the managers walked out.then the union offical gave us the reasons why we should join and the advantages of signing up.
it is a shame our union is not the force it was,+ the union offical had his hench men with him.but everyone in that room signed there on the spot the best thing i ever done!.
i know nowdays are different and a lot of members are not happy and i was one member who was disgusted
in the last deal and always voted against it and always will.but working for royal mail you may always need our union at some point and at the end of the day our union has some bloody good reps.
so join you wont regret it.

[BingBong]

I've been with royal mail for 8 months and wondered what everyones opinion is? Also, how much does it cost? And what benefits do you get?

Join mate. Its come in handy for me at times. That said my rep is pretty sound. I read on here that some reps aren't so great.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Yes - in my honest estimation is still worth joining the Union.

Without the Union you will have no influence about the direction of the Union or Royal Mail.

You'll have no part in deciding who represents you at local or national level, and all positions in between.

You'll have no influence over what happens in your own office unless you are considered a gobby sod. Whereas with the Union you have help from all quarters.

But most importantly everyone is going to need the Union when we are privatised - I personally am fully convinced of that.

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You can join online by the way http://www.cwu.org/11992/membership-forms.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or if you want to join immediately, telephone 0800 731 7434 and a CWU employee will take down all the details required to issue membership.

If you prefer to fill in the form yourself, click on the appropriate link to download a form from the following page.

http://www.cwu.org/application-forms.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

All forms should be returned either via email to:
joinunion@cwu.org

or posted (no stamp required) to:
FREEPOST RRGT-GURE-TXHX
CWU Organising Department
London
SW19 1RX

and there is a membership calculator on this page http://www.cwu.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or if you want an information pack then visit this page http://www.cwu.org/request-an-information-pack.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to fill out a request.

[fishtank]

Or you could ask your rep for a form.
We still have the good old fashioned paper version teebs.
I know it's a bit retro but it keeps the mail volumes up.

[bydand91]

In my opinion I would advise anyone to join the CWU. All reps should introduce themselves to all new starts and roughly explain about the union.

[CORTINA]

Basically its a catch 22 ...

On one hand a complete waste of money after many years many never use the union at all.... but pay subs endlessly every week with little return benefit......

The onion did us no favers over the past 10 years as many were not happy at all with the unions acheivements during that 10 year period...

That said the coming few years with a sell off on the cards who knows what benefit being in the union will be.... not a lot based on the past 10 years, but if its peace of mind in a limited point of view you want, then join.

Your job will be no safer if jobs cuts occour in the future if RM is sold off........in the union or out....

[rockytony67]

Basically its a catch 22 ...

On one hand a complete waste of money after many years many never use the union at all.... but pay subs endlessly every week with little return benefit......

The onion did us no favers over the past 10 years as many were not happy at all with the unions acheivements during that 10 year period...

That said the coming few years with a sell off on the cards who knows what benefit being in the union will be.... not a lot based on the past 10 years, but if its peace of mind in a limited point of view you want, then join.

Your job will be no safer if jobs cuts occour in the future if RM is sold off........in the union or out....

I've paid subs endlessly for over two decades, never needed anything, but if my meager subs helped anyone in the union over that time, it's money well spent

[whatamess!!]

Basically its a catch 22 ...

On one hand a complete waste of money after many years many never use the union at all.... but pay subs endlessly every week with little return benefit......

The onion did us no favers over the past 10 years as many were not happy at all with the unions acheivements during that 10 year period...

That said the coming few years with a sell off on the cards who knows what benefit being in the union will be.... not a lot based on the past 10 years, but if its peace of mind in a limited point of view you want, then join.

Your job will be no safer if jobs cuts occour in the future if RM is sold off........in the union or out....

I've paid subs endlessly for over two decades, never needed anything, but if my meager subs helped anyone in the union over that time, it's money well spent

Well said mate!!!