Unions

[White Line Fever]

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[Brucetiki]

After being forced to join the student 'union' at Uni (meaning for 3 years I spent the bulk of my birthday money on their 'fees'), I vowed never to join a union. I couldn't see the point in paying $400-odd a year for either duplicate or irrelevant services.

The irony was voluntary student unionism came in a year or two after I graduated!

[gadj1976]

No, never have been in a union.

I was almost pressured into joining the union at work when I was 18. They told me that the only way I could get a pay rise was if I joined the union. I said "if I don't, and I don't get the pay rise, that'd be discrimination, would it not?". They never came back to me. Bit ballsy for me to say something like that to a "union-ite".

Anyway, at the moment, being a contractor, I don't even know if I have a union that could represent me.

[tipper]

Originally i had similar views to WLF. however when i worked retail i did end up joining the union, i figured at least it would give me something to claim on my tax return!

eventually the store i was working at was closed by the receivers. (Haris Scarfe Munno Para) every worker in the store lost their jobs on the spot. other stores interstate also closed at the same time. I didnt think anything of it originally, just went out, got another job etc as i was casual at the time. didnt think about severance pay or anything.

about 18 months later though (give or take, my memory on the timeframe isnt great!) i received a letter in the mail, along with a cheque for about five and a half grand! the letter explained that the union had been fighting with the receivers all that time to win severance packages for all the staff, including casuals that had been there a long time. as i had been with them for over five years i qualified. nice little bonus when i hadnt expected anything at all.

since then i have had a much improved view of the unions, even if they dont seem to be visibly doing anything for you, they may very well be. i had no idea of them fighting to get me a severance package, till i got the cheque.

[Booney]

I may be over simplifying the whole issue and as someone who has never been a Union member I best qualify my position.

If the stop work meeting Ark Tribe attended was not an official stop work meeting ( for what ever reason ) then I believe the authorities have the right to ask why that was the case.

If in turn Ark and his fellow Unionists have nothing to hide, why not just answer the questions?

Sure, if the powers that be wanted to know what went on at the meeting they should have had someone attend but if it was not properly sanctioned, how could they?

All in all I dont think the bloke should be given jail time but I cant see what he has to hide.

[Psyber]

Yes, if you count the AMA - I've been on committees in 2 states.
I've also worked in process work in my student years and been a member of relevant unions.
I'm for unions provided they give priority to members needs and safety and don't subjugate that to their own financial gain or political power.
Unfortunately some do, and some treat their own employees poorly which demonstrates their dishonesty.

[Ronnie]

Unions can be a force for good, god knows in some workplaces they are needed. It does depend though on the industry you work in.

But in my experience some unionists are just bloody minded apes, who accept no responsibility for their actions. They don't manage (or they shouldn't) a workplace, so they don't accept any adverse consequences of their actions. Some old school unionists think of life as still a class war, private is bad, public good, collective this and that. The 'us against them' mentality, when really the fate of the worker and boss is normally pretty closely interlinked.

Can't say the construction industry is thought of too fondly, there is no justification for closed shops and intimidation. Have a look at some of the clowns that get involved in that stuff.

There should be a right for everyone to join a union if they wish, but equally there should be no compulsion to.
Let them survive and maybe prosper by their actions, not anything else.

I've been in a union but mostly not.

[trev]

Ark Tribe found not guilty

ttp://www.adelaidenow.com.au/unions-victorious-as-ark-tribe-found-not-guilty/story-e6frea6u-1225960028319

[Psyber]

... There should be a right for everyone to join a union if they wish, but equally there should be no compulsion to.
Let them survive and maybe prosper by their actions, not anything else.

I agree - if their priorities are demonstrated to be the members interests they'll then get the members.
I resented having to be a member of the Students' Union at Adelaide Uni even though my scholarship paid the fees.
I rarely used the facilities they provided, and could have done without entirely, and didn't like encouraging the political "wannabes".

[Booney]

My thoughts have always been that I have the ability to negotiate on my own behalf as I am articulate, driven and firm enough to stand for what I believe I am entitled too.

Sure, Unions have their place and I don't begrudge anyone who chooses to be part of one, but for mine I dont see the need for me ( in my current workplace or any past work places )to be a part of one.

[Sojourner]

Unions definatley have their place and I feel that their focus needs to be on workers rights in other nations like China to get them the same rights that we have. I think the Union Movement has a lot to offer developing nations in terms of workers rights and workplace safety and so on.

[Strawb]

Proud member of the RTBU here in Victoria. I believe that unions do alot of good for their members and look after the interests in their members as well. I have never had a problem with the union and I am always happy to pay my union fees.

[White Line Fever]

My thoughts have always been that I have the ability to negotiate on my own behalf as I am articulate, driven and firm enough to stand for what I believe I am entitled too.

Sure, Unions have their place and I don't begrudge anyone who chooses to be part of one, but for mine I dont see the need for me ( in my current workplace or any past work places )to be a part of one.

I'm with you 100% on this comment

[Gingernuts]

I've never been in a union, I've never felt the need for it. I have always been confident that if I ever got stuck in an average work environment that I could either negotiate better conditions myself, or just find another job. However I am lucky in that I am well educated, and have qualifications and experience that make me very adaptable and able to make that change relatively easily.

For others this isn't so easy, and that's were unions do have a role IMO. For battlers who are poorly educated and have been working in the same environment for many years (ie manufacturing), changing jobs is a difficult and daunting prospect. Having a union to negotiate and represent them in times of difficulty is a far better option for them.

The main problem I have with unions is that on occasions they can promote an 'us vs them' mentality in a work environment that can have a real negative impact on the relationship between management and employees. They can also cause employees to become quite apathetic about their situations - deferring problems to unions when they could quite easily be sorted out at the time an issue arises.

[mighty_tiger_79]

ive been in a Union, as I work in an industry in which 99% of all companies in the industry are always out there to screw over the worker on a weekly basis with pays etc.
Ive used the Union to sort out underpayment claims, and Ive also done that myself. In one case the Union let a company take 18 months to finally finish paying up.

The Union where I work now have a Site Delegate, who has been abusive and threatening towards me - at which point I highlighted that I was glad I was no longer in the Union having to deal with imbecilic morons like you. ID only just pulled out of my membership before this happened as the Delegate has no idea about the Union and ideaologies.

I do believe that the Unions can be good in the workplace with the right people in the right roles. Union membership where I work is now sarting to slide and will continue to as long as we have a useless Delegate.

The other thing is the Union wont take on any claim or complaint that they dont believe they will win - but you pay a weekly membership for representation. Now if I was to have any issue I would take it up with Fair Work Australia and it doesnt have a weekly membership fee.

[Magpiespower]

Paid up union member.

Bit of a toothless tiger.

Can write an angry letter but.

Membership did get me a ridiculous discount on important software.

Also puts on a pretty good Christmas booze-up with a few other unions...

[Dog_ger]

yes

[mick]

APESMA for about 15 years

[LMA]

Unions definatley have their place and I feel that their focus needs to be on workers rights in other nations like China to get them the same rights that we have. I think the Union Movement has a lot to offer developing nations in terms of workers rights and workplace safety and so on.

Nice sentiment but not at the expense of my union dues.

[LMA]

I have been a member of a union practically my whole work life. Depending on the industry you are in I'd encourage people to join, I've been involved with 4 instances directly and indirectly where the union has been of benefit. It's not only limited to workplace disputes, if you get injured at work or injured to and from work they can help too, a bloke I worked with had a motorcycle accident on the way to work and was off for a year and the union payed his wage.