TrueBlueTerrier wrote:No contradiction. The rep has been trained and has experience in representing you, your rights and your obligations and should also be trained on the various agreements and processes that affect you and your colleagues in your working time.
If you have an issue the rep advises you when you speak to the manager, and also presents arguments in line with relevant agreements in any subsequent meeting.
Now if the manager decides to do nothing then the rep can advise you of the next steps you can take.
1. Work to your time and follow the overrunning deliveries procedure.
2. Claim overtime in agreement with the manager.
3. If the manager fails to follow the overrunning procedure or fails to pay you any agreed overtime then you can put in a grievance (the rep will help)
4. If you believe the manager is bullying or harassing you then you can also put in a grievance for this, or contact the B&H helpline.
Ultimately, if there is enough feeling within a unit because of the behaviour of managers, the rep may consider asking for what is called a Rule 13 ballot (Industrial Action) but to do that, and it mean anything, they need to know that the majority of members (and non members) will support the call.
Thank you for your reply.
I think for now I won't join. If I wasn't financially secure, had children and/or a mortgage to pay - then I'd join right away as the insurance of the CWU would be much more important to me.
If I am bullied or harrassed then why would i work for a company who does such things....I'd rather walk away from a company like that than have to fight with the CWU to stay with that company.
for the sake of the price of a decent pint join, i often think as a collective they are pretty weak, but if a personal situation arises then they can be quite helpful,
one thing which our area rep told us once was who was the only person in our d/o who wasn't in the cwu, that's pretty poor
Next time you hear someone spouting that the union are useless and do nothing, ask them. “Are you in the union?” Guaranteed their answer is ‘No’. A union is only as strong as its members, the non members are the unions weakness. So my answer would be yes, you should join the union.
hothothot wrote:The union have fought hard for wages etc over many years , I would advise you to join ,believe me you will need them sooner or later.
The Postman wrote:Next time you hear someone spouting that the union are useless and do nothing, ask them. “Are you in the union?” Guaranteed their answer is ‘No’. A union is only as strong as its members, the non members are the unions weakness. So my answer would be yes, you should join the union.
ok, cheers for your advice guys.
Is the Union rep supposed to be informed by management of any issues that arise?
The other day something happend and the Union rep just appeared out of nowhere like Superman and got involved. I was confused as to how he was aware what had happend and why he was present.
Not that I needed the reps help, it was pointless the rep being there.
hothothot wrote:The union have fought hard for wages etc over many years , I would advise you to join ,believe me you will need them sooner or later.
The Postman wrote:Next time you hear someone spouting that the union are useless and do nothing, ask them. “Are you in the union?” Guaranteed their answer is ‘No’. A union is only as strong as its members, the non members are the unions weakness. So my answer would be yes, you should join the union.
ok, cheers for your advice guys.
norris9 wrote:Is the Union rep supposed to be informed by management of any issues that arise?
Not strictly speaking no, but a good manager and a good rep will have good communication between them
norris9 wrote:The other day something happend and the Union rep just appeared out of nowhere like Superman and got involved. I was confused as to how he was aware what had happend and why he was present.
Not that I needed the reps help, it was pointless the rep being there.
A colleague probably saw what was happening and told the rep, or the rep saw it himself. You are lucky if you have a pro-active rep, some units it appears aren't that lucky.
Also from your POV it might have been pointless, but for the rep it may have been useful to see how management/you dealt with the issue especially if there are issues in your office at the moment.
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hothothot wrote:The union have fought hard for wages etc over many years , I would advise you to join ,believe me you will need them sooner or later.
The Postman wrote:Next time you hear someone spouting that the union are useless and do nothing, ask them. “Are you in the union?” Guaranteed their answer is ‘No’. A union is only as strong as its members, the non members are the unions weakness. So my answer would be yes, you should join the union.
ok, cheers for your advice guys.
norris9 wrote:Is the Union rep supposed to be informed by management of any issues that arise?
Not strictly speaking no, but a good manager and a good rep will have good communication between them
norris9 wrote:The other day something happend and the Union rep just appeared out of nowhere like Superman and got involved. I was confused as to how he was aware what had happend and why he was present.
Not that I needed the reps help, it was pointless the rep being there.
A colleague probably saw what was happening and told the rep, or the rep saw it himself. You are lucky if you have a pro-active rep, some units it appears aren't that lucky.
Also from your POV it might have been pointless, but for the rep it may have been useful to see how management/you dealt with the issue especially if there are issues in your office at the moment.
ok, interesting.
It does make you feel like you are a kid going to see a headmaster with your parent holding your hand. A bit weird at my age.
hothothot wrote:The union have fought hard for wages etc over many years , I would advise you to join ,believe me you will need them sooner or later.
The Postman wrote:Next time you hear someone spouting that the union are useless and do nothing, ask them. “Are you in the union?” Guaranteed their answer is ‘No’. A union is only as strong as its members, the non members are the unions weakness. So my answer would be yes, you should join the union.
ok, cheers for your advice guys.
norris9 wrote:Is the Union rep supposed to be informed by management of any issues that arise?
Not strictly speaking no, but a good manager and a good rep will have good communication between them
norris9 wrote:The other day something happend and the Union rep just appeared out of nowhere like Superman and got involved. I was confused as to how he was aware what had happend and why he was present.
Not that I needed the reps help, it was pointless the rep being there.
A colleague probably saw what was happening and told the rep, or the rep saw it himself. You are lucky if you have a pro-active rep, some units it appears aren't that lucky.
Also from your POV it might have been pointless, but for the rep it may have been useful to see how management/you dealt with the issue especially if there are issues in your office at the moment.
ok, interesting.
It does make you feel like you are a kid going to see a headmaster with your parent holding your hand. A bit weird at my age.
You could go into a meeting with manger on your own and be accused of verbal abuse or even assault but with a rep generally you have a witness with a right to be there with you as colleagues sometimes are not allowed nor are other people.
k979aaa wrote:
You could go into a meeting with manger on your own and be accused of verbal abuse or even assault but with a rep generally you have a witness with a right to be there with you as colleagues sometimes are not allowed nor are other people.
You can take someone else in if you are not in the Union. I have been asked a few times to sit in interviews with non union members.
I said sometimes depends upon charge situation and willingness of said colleagues if the IB are involved you will not be permitted anyone but your rep.
You can take someone else in if you are not in the Union. I have been asked a few times to sit in interviews with non union members
Yes you can but they are unlikely to have the experience to know whether the manager is following the correct procedure and unlike a rep they are not allowed to give supporting evidence at the end of the meeting. Basically they are just there as a witness.
It does make you feel like you are a kid going to see a headmaster with your parent holding your hand. A bit weird at my age.
would you say the same about someone going to court and having a solicitor ?
Facts are, us posties are paid and are really only bothered with the direct day to day job, which is to be expected.
What not all of us are aware of are the different rules and regulations that come about when things do go wrong (and given time they will) at these times its nice to have a rep who will be able to guide you through a process and look after our interests.
It does make you feel like you are a kid going to see a headmaster with your parent holding your hand. A bit weird at my age.
would you say the same about someone going to court and having a solicitor ?
Facts are, us posties are paid and are really only bothered with the direct day to day job, which is to be expected.
What not all of us are aware of are the different rules and regulations that come about when things do go wrong (and given time they will) at these times its nice to have a rep who will be able to guide you through a process and look after our interests.
Yes agree but sometimes the reps are so far up you know what they could not give a flying f--k about members.
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It's cheaper than a pint a week....what is there to think about really?
It's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. To use a fighting analogy, it doesn't matter how confident you are in the ring, always good to have decent seconds in the corner behind you.
And as to your rep 'appearing like Superman'....sounds like you've got a good one in your DO. Solid proof your couple of quid a week would be worth it
