What Union?

[Sylv3r]

I am in Unison, but will probably look to go elsewhere. It's expensive for what they do and I don't tend to agree with the strikes when they do strike.

[laserblazer]

If any of you do decide to go with Voice, you may like to make contact with @3s-gtech first. Voice dish out M&S vouchers for recommendations.

[DaveP]

No union until recently: Local circumstances changed and now I am a member of Unison.

[stephenleak]

I've always been in a Trade Union, until now.

However, isn't a non-striking union a bit like decaffeinated coffee?

I am almost reminded of the time when the old Society of Post Office Executives managed to negotiate a pay reduction for their members.

[k-strider]

the trouble with trade unions is most of them donate to the labour party

[penfold]

I was in Unison in my last place but to be honest, I felt very let down with the Job Evaluation process. I'm not in one now, but maybe the experience would have been different with an on-site rep.

[cookie_monster]

However, isn't a non-striking union a bit like decaffeinated coffee?

Being in a union isn't just about striking and pay rises.
You get lots of extra 'protection' and services.

Your membership of Voice includes the following perks and services:




Advice and Support
Casework and legal services are provided by our UK-wide network of officers and volunteers. Issues are dealt with promptly and effectively by our dedicated team who are able to support members on issues including:

disciplinary and competence issues
contractual negotiations, including redundancy and early retirement requirements
assaults or false allegations at work
discrimination and unfair dismissal.
All work is supported by our in-house and external solicitors.



Public Liability Insurance
Indemnity up to £5,000,000 for legal liability in respect of third party bodily injury or loss of or damage to third party property.



Protection of Property*
Personal belongings are covered against loss and damage while on workplace premises up to a value of £250. Personal money is also protected up to a maximum of £150.



Malicious Damage to Cars and Bikes*
Cover up to £400 is included within your membership against malicious damage to your vehicle when parked at your place of work.



Personal Accident Insurance*
Members are covered (on duty) for loss of sight, hands or feet, permanent disablement or death to the sum of £9,000. Off duty cover for the above is insured to the sum of £2,000.



Hospitalisation benefit

£500 compensation is available for 7 days’ hospitalisation following an accident.



Confidential 24-hour legal advisory line
Help with non-employment related advice.



Personal Injury Service
Support for members and their families.



Your Voice
The union’s journal.



Information service
Stay up-to-date with topical issues via our Website.

[beeswax]

The School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) is a national negotiating body which aims to set national pay levels for support staff in schools. Voice and ATL are not part of this process as they are recognized as teaching unions.

[nephilim]

Having been with Unison (at my old school) and now being with GMB (in my current school), I have found that GMB have provided me with a better service for less of a cost. Thats not to say that unison is rubbish and GMB is brilliant, its purely down to the local office not being up to par. However GMB/Unison seem to be the most dominant for our profession so see who your school listens too and go with that one.

[3s-gtech]

As mentioned above, I am not in a union for pay etc, but more as protection and insurance due to working in a school. However, I think unions which do this have a very important role to play - partly it comes down to your personal opinions. I wouldn't strike, so being a member of a striking union wouldn't suit me!

[elsiegee40]

When I was in the state sector, I was in GMB - union membership was regarded as essential at my last school for the legal protection... and my personal view is that if they are negotiating my pay awards, then I'd like to have a say in what the union get up to.

However GMB and Unison are for public services and don't cover independent schools.

Since working in the private sector, I joined ATL as it covers Independent schools and Support Staff. This is entirely for the legal protection and has nothing to do with pay.

You might find this old thread of interest: Unions - do we need them and who is in one?