Leaving the union

al64 · Post by **al64** » 23 Jan 2019, 19:21

How do I go about coming out of the union?

world class male · Post by **world class male** » 23 Jan 2019, 19:27

call payroll up and ask them to stop, be careful if you decide to though, you may regret it later

al64 · Post by **al64** » 23 Jan 2019, 19:35

I will not regret it, Im sick to death of the corrupt goings on in our office with the rep turning a blind eye to have an easy time from the dom.

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 23 Jan 2019, 19:58

al64 wrote:I will not regret it, Im sick to death of the corrupt goings on in our office with the rep turning a blind eye to have an easy time from the dom.

Have you considered putting yourself up for election to become the new rep?

number one · Post by **number one** » 23 Jan 2019, 21:35

al64 wrote:I will not regret it, Im sick to death of the corrupt goings on in our office with the rep turning a blind eye to have an easy time from the dom.

And how do you think leaving the union will stop this?

Nickvilla20 · Post by **Nickvilla20** » 23 Jan 2019, 21:43

When will people realise that the union isn’t just your unit rep and is a much bigger unit. Why not contact the area rep if you have problems with your unit rep.

tommyrep · Post by **tommyrep** » 23 Jan 2019, 22:54

Nickvilla20 wrote:When will people realise that the union isn’t just your unit rep and is a much bigger unit. Why not contact the area rep if you have problems with your unit rep.

Well said. I do not understand people who use the excuse of a supposed poor rep as justification for leaving the Union.
Short sighted decision. You are right, if he has a problem with the current rep and he has failed him in some way, make contact with the area Rep. Funny the amount of Reps accused of cosying up with DOMs or only looking after their own interests - surely if that was true they would fail in any re selection process or be liable to de selection with no confidence from the other members who would also notice his observations ? Does he not do his best in the interests of unit members?
Is it not a case of personal issues being used as an excuse ? Jealousy of seeing a rep having a cuppa or chatting with a DOM is often misconstrued as being too close and being looked after by that DOM, it is a mistaken falasy in my experience!
The Union is much more than any one person, it is the members who are the Union and offers more benefit by being in than out. Has he even thought about his T&Cs ?, representation in conduct issues, protection from bullying managers, etc?

Nickvilla20 · Post by **Nickvilla20** » 24 Jan 2019, 06:02

I seen bad reps who are only in it for themselves our previous rep stood down cause his cushy number duty got more work put on it. But the majority are good reps who have the best intentions to try help they don’t get paid extra for it. Our reps now have told people not to start early and do the job properly but most just want to run around and ruin the job.

If you don’t have faith in the rep you or another member should run against him. Soon as you leave you know you will have a big target on your back your better off staying in.

tommyrep · Post by **tommyrep** » 24 Jan 2019, 11:03

Nickvilla20 wrote:I seen bad reps who are only in it for themselves our previous rep stood down cause his cushy number duty got more work put on it. But the majority are good reps who have the best intentions to try help they don’t get paid extra for it. Our reps now have told people not to start early and do the job properly but most just want to run around and ruin the job.

If you don’t have faith in the rep you or another member should run against him. Soon as you leave you know you will have a big target on your back your better off staying in.

Fair points.
Good reps are only good because they have the backing of their colleagues.
Other Reps May think they can gain perks but soon find out it involves too much of their own time. Dealing with the many members problems is not obvious to others and a lot of behind the scenes work never seen or appreciated by both the members and any new Rep.
long term reps have had to develop a very thick skin and many others become disillusioned by weak members not listening to the advice given on the merits of “ doing the job properly”. They still want to operate outwith the Union bubble, reaping their own benefits, yet still running down the reps efforts, that being trying to benefit everyone !, not individuals.
It is not a position to be taken lightly, more often a poisoned chalice and not worth the hassle given out by blinkered members who do not know the amount of work involved.

Post by **blue1873** » 24 Jan 2019, 11:32

Spot on "tommyrep" the union is only as strong as the membership wants it to be , that said it is the case where
a rep sitting on a very easy job does get favourable treatment from management for not rocking the boat,have
witnessed it myself with several reps over the years.I believe it's been part of the RM culture down through the years
and i dont think it will change due to less and less influence of unions in general.Sign of the times i guess

tommyrep · Post by **tommyrep** » 24 Jan 2019, 12:03

blue1873 wrote:Spot on "tommyrep" the union is only as strong as the membership wants it to be , that said it is the case where
a rep sitting on a very easy job does get favourable treatment from management for not rocking the boat,have
witnessed it myself with several reps over the years.I believe it's been part of the RM culture down through the years
and i dont think it will change due to less and less influence of unions in general.Sign of the times i guess

Valid point. There have been instances where a Rep may have a lighter duty to allow more time for union business.
In larger units that may be the case, other units certainly not.
There is a lot of psychology in a Dom/Rep relationship and that can be to the members advantage - sometimes, lol.
A lot of grief within a unit can be avoided with sensible negotiation and that can be a good thing. The main problem there is dealing with a DOM who wants to work along with the staff or not.
As I have said others may see the favourable treatment, but if it keeps the unit running fairly with no bullying etc, well the Rep may be doing the right thing. Conversely, if the staff are being treated “ unfairly”, well that is different.
Rocking the boat is needed to protect many, mainly part timers, but if it is not broken !!
I appreciate many do not like to see a Rep laughing and joking, drinking tea in the DOMs office when/if others are getting a rough deal. Horses for courses, mmmm.?

endofdays1982 · Post by **endofdays1982** » 24 Jan 2019, 17:52

it wont stop whats going on for the guy above but he will save a couple a quid, well played get out the union is hopeless, my area rep is my rep and his view is its only gonna get worse for you, so if the union are saying its going get worse why bother, no support whatsoever when it comes to unpaid overtime or anything

tommyrep · Post by **tommyrep** » 24 Jan 2019, 19:06

endofdays1982 wrote:it wont stop whats going on for the guy above but he will save a couple a quid, well played get out the union is hopeless, my area rep is my rep and his view is its only gonna get worse for you, so if the union are saying its going get worse why bother, no support whatsoever when it comes to unpaid overtime or anything

If what you say is true ? Your mate should resign pronto ! He should also be exposed to the CWU for the hypocrisy he exudes.
As an area rep he is probably on Union business most of the time and PAID for that time rather than being on a duty.
To say people could save a couple of quid is short sited and childish.
I sense by the attitude/tone of your post it is not surprising that no one has put themselves forward for the post as Rep in your unit, if you are typical of "principals" held by your colleagues, but I am not surprised in truth. Many workplaces do not see the real benefit of union representation while happily enjoying the T&Cs won of the backs of others.

chickenwittle · Post by **chickenwittle** » 24 Jan 2019, 19:23

Our rep is a s**t bag who only does it to protect himself , he gets away with murder and doesn’t give a toss about anyone and the area rep knows it .Problem is nobody else wants to take it on .

Sir Henry · Post by **Sir Henry** » 24 Jan 2019, 19:55

And therein lies the problem. And yes being a rep is utterly s**t, your efforts are only appreciated for as long as you're saving the job of some c*** who should know better. Training is next to none existent, any release time is taken up with engagement meetings between you and the screws, your breaks are spent answering endless pointless hypothetical questions or being made to fight someone's personal battles for them. If the progress takes time, you're doing nothing, if things go one way half the workforce hate you, is its goes the other....if you're thinking of becoming a rep or a subbie think again as for the most part the people you end up trying to defend (usually the same faces) time and time again aren't worth the hassle