Pre 26 weeks service?

AceMark · Post by **AceMark** » 28 Feb 2017, 16:12

Hey, just wondering if there's any benefit from signing up to the union before I've been in the door 26 weeks? Or are they unable to help with any potential incidents before my trial is up?

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 28 Feb 2017, 16:18

AceMark wrote:Hey, just wondering if there's any benefit from signing up to the union before I've been in the door 26 weeks? Or are they unable to help with any potential incidents before my trial is up?

No, you are a member as soon as you sign up, officially they can only take your case on from when you join, so join before you need them is my advice.

In fact you don't even have to be employed by Royal Mail, or any other employer that recognises the Union, to be eligible as a member. You just have to pay your subs.

AceMark · Post by **AceMark** » 28 Feb 2017, 16:48

What I mean is, are there loopholes that RM could exploit as officially you are still on trial and they wouldn't need a reasonable explanation to terminate your contract? Or are the union still able to offer you job protection?
This is all hypothetical btw. I hope never to need to have a union involved in anything?
Just better knowing now rather than later?

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 28 Feb 2017, 17:03

Even in that situation, the Union would be there to offer advice and help deal with the case.

I'll be frank the Union can't help if they dismiss you for a valid reason, but you on your own, you have 0% chance of overturning it. If you have the Union, you have its local and national knowledge of procedures, laws and tribunal rulings to help guide you then your chances are greater.

Being a trialist is just a procedure that Royal Mail uses with their employees. It has no legal standing and also provides no greater or lesser protection from unfair dismissal than anyone who has completed the trial, but not yet completed the 2 years needed to start an unfair dismissal claim for other that protected characteristics.

No Union can offer Job protection, not even for Posties who started as Telegram boys. But they offer what I have described as above, the best way I can describe it is its like paying an Employment insurance. You may never need it, and indeed when you do, it might not be enough. But for certain you'll have a better chance of staying in employment if something goes wrong, being in the Union, than if you aren't.

AceMark · Post by **AceMark** » 28 Feb 2017, 17:11

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:Even in that situation, the Union would be there to offer advice and help deal with the case.

I'll be frank the Union can't help if they dismiss you for a valid reason, but you on your own, you have 0% chance of overturning it. If you have the Union, you have its local and national knowledge of procedures, laws and tribunal rulings to help guide you then your chances are greater.

Being a trialist is just a procedure that Royal Mail uses with their employees. It has no legal standing and also provides no greater or lesser protection from unfair dismissal than anyone who has completed the trial, but not yet completed the 2 years needed to start an unfair dismissal claim for other that protected characteristics.

No Union can offer Job protection, not even for Posties who started as Telegram boys. But they offer what I have described as above, the best way I can describe it is its like paying an Employment insurance. You may never need it, and indeed when you do, it might not be enough. But for certain you'll have a better chance of staying in employment if something goes wrong, being in the Union, than if you aren't.

That answers my question, thanks.

Post by **tats** » 01 Mar 2017, 20:05

AceMark wrote:What I mean is, are there loopholes that RM could exploit as officially you are still on trial and they wouldn't need a reasonable explanation to terminate your contract? Or are the union still able to offer you job protection?
This is all hypothetical btw. I hope never to need to have a union involved in anything?
Just better knowing now rather than later?

We had some part timers released from their contracts last year when they was up after the first 3 months. The union in our office helped secure them new contracts in a neighboring office. Don't under estimate the union because as others have said, when you need them they are useful for sure.