michael Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 How do you go about joining a union? Seems like a great way to blackmail your employer into giving you more money. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7508717.stm Dave Evans, a Unison area steward, has been on a picket line at a rubbish dump in Castleford in west Yorkshire. He said: "We can't afford to take 2.45% - it's a pay cut. I'm not getting a pay increase at all this year, apparently employers aren't making enough money - so if I join a union I can go home or stand around with a sign all day without worrying about being sacked? Anyone here do a bit of striking when they are unhappy about Brenda leaving the milk out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 God i hate unions! I know someone who is striking today, They only have to go for an hour as they are all "Taking turns" full pay all day too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 How come full pay while on strike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_supra Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 It really annoys me when people go on strike. They've been given a pay rise, fair enough it might not be as much as they want, or in line with inflation, but it's an increase nontheless. I wish their employers could turn around and sack them, then lets see what they have to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolarbag Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I just got a 10%rise:more: I can see why some would be pee'd off, it really depends on what your earnings are e.t.c as well as how much the company are making, but for someone to go on strike it would take a lot, think of the animosity amongst you and your bosses thereafter! I do think a rise inline with inflation is the least anyone should get in this day and age Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 Another: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7506909.stm I spent a couple of years at my last company getting pay cuts, reduced hours, working for free and eventually redundancy, it makes you appreciate having a pay rise no matter how small. BTW does the attached graph show a company that's struggling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I just got a 10%rise:more: I can see why some would be pee'd off, it really depends on what your earnings are e.t.c as well as how much the company are making, but for someone to go on strike it would take a lot, think of the animosity amongst you and your bosses thereafter! I do think a rise inline with inflation is the least anyone should get in this day and age Lucky ghet! I only got 5% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I've never worked anywhere with a union, wish I did - a voice for the voiceless isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Sorry, I thought this thread was about onions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 How come full pay while on strike? Union rules, Its just a big pile of b**lox if you ask me Sorry, I thought this thread was about onions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I actually like the idea! Should we start an IT works union? Watch the business world come to a grinding halt as developers, administrators and the likes walk out for a day or 2... We got 3%... So that means I am actually earning less than I was a year ago, considering the increase in prices of food, fuel, energy, EVERYTHING!! Why should companies be getting £750 milliion turnover then decide to make roles redundant, 3% across the board increases, etc. Bet the execs and directors are getting their bonuses!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 With current economic conditions unfortunatly the employee will suffer before the shareholders, when times get tough to make money companies turn to saves to drive the bottom line, that includes pay, a union is a strong voice but i fear in the climate today you should be glad just to have a job at all That does not mean that this process if fair, but it is hard to get away from the fact that pay rises directly impact the botom line and therefore profit and employers will be reluctant to reward at the risk of their profit margin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurgen-Jm-Imports Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 With current economic conditions unfortunatly the employee will suffer before the shareholders, when times get tough to make money companies turn to saves to drive the bottom line, that includes pay, a union is a strong voice but i fear in the climate today you should be glad just to have a job at all That does not mean that this process if fair, but it is hard to get away from the fact that pay rises directly impact the botom line and therefore profit and employers will be reluctant to reward at the risk of their profit margin well said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 Should we start an IT works union? I looked on http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/unions_main.cfm and found "Connect" http://www.connectuk.org and "Unite" http://www.unitetheunion.org.uk Who both seem to dabble in the IT side of things, Unite seem to dabble in pretty much everything and have lots of members, can't seem them pulling everyone out on strike though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 You never get paid during strike action. Some people try to wangle it so they take a days holiday - a day out with pay - but councils are very strict on that kind of thing. The wife worked for the Hampshire county council a couple of years back, and there was a strike day - nobody without pre-booked holiday could have the day off, and there was a full register taken of everyone who worked. Everyone else was docked the days pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Anyone here do a bit of striking when they are unhappy about Brenda leaving the milk out? I hate Brenda. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Bring back Thatcher! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 In theory, the idea of a union is a good idea; protecting the rights of employees against the bad lad employers. Sadly, the reality is that they have done more in the past 40 years to reduce this country into a second rate manufacturer and partly place it in the situation it is now. I've been on both sides of the fence in my career and once encountered the unions full force when I had to let an employee go. The scenario was that this person was not up to the job, full stop. Crumbled with every project, cried like a baby and I ended up completing everything! Somebody who had been employed to ease my workload simply added to it. After many months of support, cajoling and attempting to ease this person into a productive employee it was a complete no-go. So I called them in and let them go. Following day I get a call from the union telling me I was been taken to a tribunal for unfair dismissal! Weeks followed culminating in a meeting with the ex-employee and union rep and here's where they let themselves down so much it just made me want to stab this tool in the eye: I was knobbled on procedure - the dismissal was fair but the manner wasn't procedurally sound - by this, because I had treated this person like a human and talked to them, supported them and not given them verbal warnings (which would only have served to make this person even more insecure and less able to do their job) or pointed out at every turn what the problems were and documented it on their personal file, this ex-employee ends up with a sum of money and I end up looking like a bell-end. Unions - bunch of self-serving pricks, always looking for a fight and a way to screw a business over. If someone is crap at their job, they should be booted out and employers should have the right to do so. And in this day people should be bloody happy to have a job - the world does not owe them a living or a pay packet. Earn it and do something to warrant a pay rise. Plenty of Poles and others just snapping at your heels waiting to work hard and not whinge. And breathe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 When I worked for the BBC it was riddled with unions, they can be good but sometimes dont work in favour of individuals. Intel however unofficially wouldnt touch you with a barge poll if you are in a union. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 When I worked for the BBC it was riddled with unions, they can be good but sometimes dont work in favour of individuals. Intel however unofficially wouldnt touch you with a barge poll if you are in a union. This thread is a much better read if you pronounce 'union' as 'onion'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 You can see why China has had such massive growth in such a short period of time, they don't have any of this bs to deal with no red tape or strikes by workers unions . Unions should be a good thing but as is often the case the leader of the union who himself is on a good wage decides that a strike is the only way forward workers aren't too keen to see the bigger picture - economy on the downturn less orders etc so take less money and keep your job or strike lose your company lots of money then your company has to lay off staff, seems daft to me . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I'm happy that they are striking. I for one look forward to not having my household waste bin emptied today and the ensuing amount of surplus rubbish that won't fit into it. It's even better at this time of year when it'll get all smelly and maggoty. I hope they get covered next week, the greedy f***ers. I'd make a complaint to the environmental health people but I bet they'll be on strike too. Bunch of useless c**t-splices, the lot of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steb9780 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 So I take it most of the people in this thread, won't want to borrow my copy of "Preston's Cotton Martyrs" then? Written by my former colleague. http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/preston-cotton-martyrs-by-j-s-leigh/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 In theory, the idea of a union is a good idea; protecting the rights of employees against the bad lad employers. Sadly, the reality is that they have done more in the past 40 years to reduce this country into a second rate manufacturer and partly place it in the situation it is now. Without wanting to rant, they've played a massive part in the downfall of our industries. Rant over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I would be pleased with even a rise in line with inflation but it's highly unrealistic, unfortuantely we all have to suck it down and get on with it. Union or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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