This is where the union is failing it's members.terry tibbs wrote: I am in the union but when your rep cant be bothered and most of your colleagues cant see the problem if they can get out earlier to carry a pouch instead of using their trolley,you feel like whats the point in getting yourself fired up over something no one else is interested in,
A decent member,probably not the only one in his office but definitely in the minority,surrounded by muppets and a lazy rep.
What are his options?
Contact his Area Rep?
Unlikely to get anywhere without the support of his local rep and the majority of the members.
Vote out the Local Rep?
Unlikely to get anywhere without the support of the majority of the members.
Take on management himself.
Dangerous without the support of his local rep and the majority of the members.
So he thinks "what's the point?" sticks his head back down and the office gets that little bit weaker for it and by definition so does the union and so do we.
Eventually he might look at the £3.33 deduction from his wages and think... "what's the point?".
This situation is much more common than anyone in the union is prepared to admit mostly because it's a difficult job and most reps do it off their own back so it's considered bad form to slag off a rep...that's fair enough but there are some reps who hide behind that protection a bit too much for my liking.
There is no accountability in this union for poor representation other than the ballot box and if the office doesn't give a toss...there is no accountability at all.
That Local Rep situation can of course be transposed to Area,Divisional and National level.
If someone doesn't shake this union out of it's apathetic coma shortly there will be a lot more "what's the point?" posts.