Unions - do we need them and who is in one?

[Oops_my_bad]

all they have done is:-

destroy manufacturing,
increase un-necessary red tape in all areas
turn everyone into a criminal
make no-one responsible for their own actions
destroy discipline in schools
betray everyone who voted them 'in' in the first place
turn the country into 'land of the do -gooder'

10+ years of destruction of society, and replaced with their 'government' model of administration, which never worked anywhere else.

Couldn't agree more.

All you labour loonies you have made your bed - now lie in it.

[beeswax]

Could someone remind me just who said, "There's no such thing as society"? And which chancellor said that we shouldn't worry about the shrinking manufacturing base, as the service sector will step in to fill the gap?

[farmerste]

you can keep on blaming the tories if you like, if it makes you feel better, but the fact of the matter is, this 'government' has had more than a decade to reverse this, and it has done nothing.

and in anticipation of you next 'blame the tories' reply, yes i believe that is enough time to 'undo' the mistakes made by tories

[Joanne]

That is a very sad statement - this is YOUR country and you have a right to be heard. If you really feel that way perhaps you should do something about it - stand up and be counted!!!
The government of whatever colour will always be able to get away with things if the people just shrug and say 'oh well'. This seems to happen a great deal now and if we don't sort it out we will sleepwalk to disaster

I just vote for the least worst of them...

I would do something it's just nobody would listen to me because they would just think 'oh it's another ranting cow bag again'... I bet hundreds of thousands of people complain about stuff like this but nothing will get done.

For example, how many people have signed the petition for Clarkson to become prime minister? It'll never happen will it?

[pmassingham]

Gone off topic a bit! Anyway, it looks like 65:35 split (ish) on whether to join. I presume it is UNISON that we should be in? I will check it out. Thanks for the feedback.

[vikpaw]

@plock, @nickjones
come over and join unison, they are great.
here are but a few of the benefits:
http://www.unison.org.uk/benefits/special.asp

[kerrymoralee9280]

I used to be in one. Moved from Durham to Sunderland LEA though so it cancelled. Since moving back to Durham LEA though I've tried to join. I've asked 3 times for an application form (online and phone) and nothing! 2 months down the line still waiting.

Makes me want to say b*llox to them.

[elsiegee40]

@plock, @nickjones
come over and join unison, they are great.
here are but a few of the benefits:
http://www.unison.org.uk/benefits/special.asp

The problem is that Unison is for public services and that doesn't include private schools.

[enjay]

The problem is that Unison is for public services and that doesn't include private schools.

Now, that I didn't know. I guess I'll have to stay put then...

[andy]

Just as an aside - and at risk of starting another teacher bashing war (please don't) - teaching union fees can be added to your tax free personal allowance. Other unions (Unison for example) can't

Andy

PS. Pretty sure the BCS can, though haven't done it yet

[TMEF]

I was with Unison, when I was a technician for a state school. can anyone recommmend oe for Private Schools/ IT Professionals?

[elsiegee40]

ATL cover support staff and also independent schools

http://www.atl.org.uk/

[TechMonkey]

Best bet is the teaching unions that accept either associate members or support staff fully. Off the top of my head I think ATL and GMBH (Pretty sure it is those letters, possibly not in that order) do. Otherwise just ask around the school if anyone is in one

[john]

OK - I've pulled my finger out and joined online... I should never have let it lapse when I started here. Can I change my reply in the poll

Sorry to be nosey, but who did you join, as a fellow IT Techy in an independent school I'm stuck really for who to join.

[elsiegee40]

I went for ATL as it covers Independent schools and Support Staff (I was in JMB at my state school)