Which Union, if any, do you belong to?

**woodie** · 4th November 2011, 03:39 PM

Just wondering how IT support staff are represented throughout our sector?

**SteveBentley** · 4th November 2011, 03:47 PM

Unison, as they're the only union that is recognised.

**plexer** · 4th November 2011, 03:48 PM

GMB here, in Norfolk Unison and GMB appear to be the main ones for non teaching staff that are recognised by the LEA.

Ben

**woodie** · 4th November 2011, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by SteveBentley

Unison, as they're the only union that is recognised.

Recognised by whom? the school, the LA, the sector?

**teejay** · 4th November 2011, 03:55 PM

Was in Unison, left and joined The Voice, been very happy with them.
Unison are driven very much by central policy, they really didn't seem bothered about helping the individual, only interested in driving through their agenda whether that was in the interests of the members or not.
A union doesn't need to be recognised to be of help to you, in fact having some distance seems to work better tbh.

**teejay** · 4th November 2011, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by woodie

Recognised by whom? the school, the LA, the sector?

Unions tend to operate in particular sectors. They can be formally recognised by the employer, whether that is the school or the LEA for involvement in things like pay negotiations.

**SteveBentley** · 4th November 2011, 04:04 PM

I'm in HE so it's a little bit different to schools, but the Uni I work for only recognises Unison and the lecturers' union, so that's my choice.

Trade union recognition : Directgov - Employment explains what union recognition is all about, but AIUI if a certain proportion of staff join a union they have to involve it in negotiations.

**witch** · 4th November 2011, 04:16 PM

Voice here, too

**Butters** · 4th November 2011, 04:24 PM

How much do Voice charge as seemingly Unison would like quite a large percentage of my wage to be a member.

**gshaw** · 4th November 2011, 05:01 PM

Nope, never felt the need to be part of one and for the price they charge for membership I'm very dubious... as always the bosses seem to do quite well out of the workers' fees who don't see a great lot in return...

**teejay** · 4th November 2011, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Butters

How much do Voice charge as seemingly Unison would like quite a large percentage of my wage to be a member.

Childcare & Support Staff Annual Membership Rates 2011 :: Voice The Union

**Andrew_C** · 4th November 2011, 06:12 PM

ATL, but no idea if they are any use when the fertilizer gets into the ventilation...

**DaveP** · 4th November 2011, 06:53 PM

Reluctant Unison member here.

Reasons for membership are complicated.

Suffice to say that I am not happy with what the have been able to do for me thus far.

**witch** · 4th November 2011, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Butters

How much do Voice charge as seemingly Unison would like quite a large percentage of my wage to be a member.

Don't forget that you can claim tax back on your memberships costs

**GrumbleDook** · 4th November 2011, 09:28 PM

Once I became manglement I joined ASCL. I wasn't in a union before that as in each school there was no rep and the area reps just did not respond to enquiries I made about joining, benefits, local meetings, etc. They only ever said "Visit the website" which gave me *lots* of confidence about how well they would support me if I needed them!