onesock:
Best union I ever joined was the URTU (google it). They looked after me good style. Took on a big company on my behalf and won, and that was when I was working as an agency driver. Can’t say enough in their favour. 100% for truck drivers.
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They use to be in all the truckstops with there mobile unit week in week out, then just seemed to vanish when there was a big In fighting thing a few years back, when they were arguing aboutTUC affiliation.
I’m far from being a Labour voter but I am a paid up union member; GMB.
I’ve no love for the political ambitions of McCluskey or any of the other dinosaurs who seem to think that being a union boss is about furthering their own pipedreams of class war and being the tail that wags the government dog; but I do recognise that employers shouldn’t have it all their own way and that unions play a vital role in defending the rights of their members.
Basically I view union membership as job insurance; I do however begrudge the fact that part of my subs go towards funding a political party whom I would never vote for.
prob not a coincidence that Royal Mail is one of the best paying jobs
Unite won the O/T should count towards holiday pay case for the Stobart drivers not so long ago, so yes is the answer to your question.
My last job had a strong union presence (URTU), and I was very impressed with a few victories we gained in my relatively short time there. I’d say yes, currently, they play a sensible and helpful role. I wish my current employer was unionised.
Sidevalve you can opt out of the party donations, email the gmb and tell them you no longer wish To pay it and your subs should be adjusted
ezydriver:
My last job had a strong union presence (URTU), and I was very impressed with a few victories we gained in my relatively short time there. I’d say yes, currently, they play a sensible and helpful role. I wish my current employer was unionised.
That is exactly how they survive, a few victory’s and everyone pays their dues, can’t do without em, if you are not capable of opening your own mouth, pay for someone else to do it. Not in all cases granted but certainly in the most.
onesock:
Best union I ever joined was the URTU (google it). They looked after me good style. Took on a big company on my behalf and won, and that was when I was working as an agency driver. Can’t say enough in their favour. 100% for truck drivers.
Well the worst union I ever joined was URTU. Having a disability, which I’ll admit means I’m high maintenance but my regional officer was hopeless and uninterested in his attitude. When I called him for advice on yet another matter of disability discrimination in the workplace, his first words to me were, ‘Why are you always getting into trouble?’
I’m not ‘always getting into trouble’ but I will always stand up for myself, especially when able-bodied management including the company owner abuse the only disabled parking space and when able-bodied employees abuse the disabled toilets leaving them in a mess.
I’m with Unite now and my initial dealings with the regional officer are not proving positive. I suspect he’s not up for the fight either and like all union reps, just in it for the life on Easy Street.
Schofield:
Sidevalve you can opt out of the party donations, email the gmb and tell them you no longer wish To pay it and your subs should be adjusted
I did this with Unite but they still bombard you with Labour supporting emails/propaganda. 
Schofield:
Sidevalve you can opt out of the party donations, email the gmb and tell them you no longer wish To pay it and your subs should be adjusted
Wasn’t aware of that, thank you.
ThrustMaster:
I did this with Unite but they still bombard you with Labour supporting emails/propaganda.
Don’t have a problem with that. It’s what spam filters are for.
UKtramp:
ezydriver:
My last job had a strong union presence (URTU), and I was very impressed with a few victories we gained in my relatively short time there. I’d say yes, currently, they play a sensible and helpful role. I wish my current employer was unionised.That is exactly how they survive, a few victory’s and everyone pays their dues, can’t do without em, if you are not capable of opening your own mouth, pay for someone else to do it. Not in all cases granted but certainly in the most.
A few victories on top of the well maintained terms and conditions, such as triple time on bank holidays, that sort of thing.
UKtramp:
That is exactly how they survive, a few victory’s and everyone pays their dues, can’t do without em, if you are not capable of opening your own mouth, pay for someone else to do it. Not in all cases granted but certainly in the most.
We are going to have to agree to disagree on this matter mate, I think you are wrong and you think that I am wrong. That’s fine though as this is precisely what discussion forums are for and long may it continue.
I’ll tell you why I think you are wrong though; when you are a strong, confident person with good communication skills who is happy to stand his/her ground it’s very easy to say that you should open your mouth to voice your concerns or dissatisfaction. It’s also very easy to forget that not everyone possesses this self confidence, it certainly isn’t a character flaw but it is immediately obvious to the unscrupulous when a person will meekly submit which is why certain people always seem to get picked on in life.
Unions exist for precisely these people, to help them and prevent their good nature being abused. I’m the first to agree that unions overstepped their remit back in “the bad old days” and personally I’m happy that they had their wings clipped. Unfortunately we are heading back towards a modern “bad old days” where employers are increasingly coming to realise that they can ride roughshod over their workforce. I’m sure UKT that at least you and I can agree that this abuse of power can never ever be a good or beneficial thing?
I will say that I’ve worked at both unionised and non unionised places in my life and without fail the pay and conditions were far superior at the unionised workplaces. As an aside I get an above inflation pay rise without fail every January. Do I think that I’d get that without our strong union? Not a cat in hells chance mate.
the maoster:
I will say that I’ve worked at both unionised and non unionised places in my life and without fail the pay and conditions were far superior at the unionised workplaces. As an aside I get an above inflation pay rise without fail every January. Do I think that I’d get that without our strong union? Not a cat in hells chance mate.
maoster I agree and disagree also. I have witnessed good deeds done by unions and have seen H&S issue resolved through them also, yes they do have a part to play at some places of work. On the flip side of this I have been sat on the other side of the fence with them, I have gone up against them on a few occasions where I have had them eating out of my hands in order for them to save face. I have been a party to some very underhand and controversial meetings where agreements have been reached by both sides to suit each other and not for the good of the work force. I went as a whistle blower against them and had some pretty high up union officials removed from their posts who were feathering their own nests. Now I agree with the working man having rights, nowadays we have these god given rights through European human right acts and employment law. Some are better than others at speaking out, some fear for their jobs, both these examples of why we need and may not need unions. Some benefit and some do not as it alll depends upon who is representing you whether or not you will get aq good deal or a bad one. Voting in a union rep for the sake of he will be willing to do it is not the way, a good union rep who dare speak out is then worth having a union. Without this a union is nothing more than a boys club.
Well we may never speak as one on this matter my friend but I can honestly say that I understand and respect your viewpoint on this at least.
the maoster:
UKtramp:
That is exactly how they survive, a few victory’s and everyone pays their dues, can’t do without em, if you are not capable of opening your own mouth, pay for someone else to do it. Not in all cases granted but certainly in the most.We are going to have to agree to disagree on this matter mate, I think you are wrong and you think that I am wrong. That’s fine though as this is precisely what discussion forums are for and long may it continue.
I’ll tell you why I think you are wrong though; when you are a strong, confident person with good communication skills who is happy to stand his/her ground it’s very easy to say that you should open your mouth to voice your concerns or dissatisfaction. It’s also very easy to forget that not everyone possesses this self confidence, it certainly isn’t a character flaw but it is immediately obvious to the unscrupulous when a person will meekly submit which is why certain people always seem to get picked on in life.
Unions exist for precisely these people, to help them and prevent their good nature being abused. I’m the first to agree that unions overstepped their remit back in “the bad old days” and personally I’m happy that they had their wings clipped. Unfortunately we are heading back towards a modern “bad old days” where employers are increasingly coming to realise that they can ride roughshod over their workforce. I’m sure UKT that at least you and I can agree that this abuse of power can never ever be a good or beneficial thing?
I will say that I’ve worked at both unionised and non unionised places in my life and without fail the pay and conditions were far superior at the unionised workplaces. As an aside I get an above inflation pay rise without fail every January. Do I think that I’d get that without our strong union? Not a cat in hells chance mate.
Just what I would have said, but you have put it better. 
It’s all well and good UKt saying individuals should stand up for themselves, but if one person even has the balls to stand up to a firm who have no thought love or consideration for their drivers, what can he achieve on his own, apart from maybe making things better for himself only.
There has always been safety and a louder voice in numbers, if everybody became one voice, we would not be putting up with a fraction of the crap we are now.
They say ‘what goes around comes around’’ well it’s getting back around to near hand the same situation, in terms of worker’s rights and t.s and c.s (or lack of them) as it was when workers first stood up to it when Unions were first founded.
Whether many today will have the balls to repeat history, and be as forthright as their Grandfathers were, I aint so sure.
the maoster:
Well we may never speak as one on this matter my friend but I can honestly say that I understand and respect your viewpoint on this at least.
maoster I am a working man myself, I have got men who work for me now with my refrigeration business. Do they feel they need a union, no definitely not as they can speak to me anytime and often do, my door is always open for anyone with a gripe. If they are unhappy with something, then I look at how I can do anything to put a smile on their face. My eldest son runs my business now and he is a bit harder in his stance than perhaps I am, anyone has a problem with him, I will pull him up over it, I know how people work and what I can get away with, some companies don’t. A union as I say can do some good in some companies, but all they are is a mediator between the men and the management. They are no more than a middle man but they can do some good for some companies that would otherwise take the ■■■■ without them. If more working men and women could simply come together and stand by each other then they could work magic. Look at how everyone is on here and look at how great this site could be if only people were standing by each other instead of wanting to tear each other to shreds or grass up their work mates. Solidarity works well and can do wonderful things.
robroy:
It’s all well and good UKt saying individuals should stand up for themselves, but if one person even has the balls to stand up to a firm who have no thought love or consideration for their drivers, what can he achieve on his own, apart from maybe making things better for himself only.
Well rob I have seen plenty of union officials and reps doing just what you say about the lone man standing up for himself. A union rep that tries to make things better for himself, absolutely they do. Union officials taking back handers to gain something for themselves, once again oh yes they do. You don’t trust politicians or managers yet you have a strong faith in a union official. They are no different to a politician. They are not standing up for the working man because they believe in justice, no they are doing it as a career, they are not the people you believe them to be, they work well in a weak workforce or a gullible management structure that doesn’t want to rock the boat as they have something to lose. In this life everyone is out for themselves, perhaps only mother Theresa is the only person I can think of who isn’t.
UKtramp:
robroy:
It’s all well and good UKt saying individuals should stand up for themselves, but if one person even has the balls to stand up to a firm who have no thought love or consideration for their drivers, what can he achieve on his own, apart from maybe making things better for himself only.Well rob I have seen plenty of union officials and reps doing just what you say about the lone man standing up for himself. A union rep that tries to make things better for himself, absolutely they do. Union officials taking back handers to gain something for themselves, once again oh yes they do. You don’t trust politicians or managers yet you have a strong faith in a union official. They are no different to a politician. They are not standing up for the working man because they believe in justice, no they are doing it as a career, they are not the people you believe them to be, they work well in a weak workforce or a gullible management structure that doesn’t want to rock the boat as they have something to lose. In this life everyone is out for themselves, perhaps only mother Theresa is the only person I can think of who isn’t.
Unless you’re working for own account firm you can forget about it, just look after number one there is to many no hopers out there who haven’t a clue
UKtramp:
robroy:
It’s all well and good UKt saying individuals should stand up for themselves, but if one person even has the balls to stand up to a firm who have no thought love or consideration for their drivers, what can he achieve on his own, apart from maybe making things better for himself only.Well rob I have seen plenty of union officials and reps doing just what you say about the lone man standing up for himself. A union rep that tries to make things better for himself, absolutely they do. Union officials taking back handers to gain something for themselves, once again oh yes they do. You don’t trust politicians or managers yet you have a strong faith in a union official. They are no different to a politician. They are not standing up for the working man because they believe in justice, no they are doing it as a career, they are not the people you believe them to be, they work well in a weak workforce or a gullible management structure that doesn’t want to rock the boat as they have something to lose. In this life everyone is out for themselves, perhaps only mother Theresa is the only person I can think of who isn’t.
Love the way you generalise mate.
I know there are a lot of arse holes in the higher echelons of the TU movement, I am more concerned with the guys at grass roots level.
There is corruption and types looking after no.1’s feathered nest in every organisation under the sun, thats the dark side of human nature.
Ok after looking at your very dark picture, what’s the alternative?
So what do we do eh?..
Just carry on letting things decline in the path it has been taking for the last 10 to 15 years.
Bend over cheeks parted, ■■■■ up all the crap, the zero hours jobs, the crap overtime rates, the ridiculously long hours we have to work to not make a good wage but a wage to live on.
The types of firms which are a bloody good reason for some kind of united front, the unscrupulous firms, and the up their own arse type firms, such as the likes of The Green Death (which you know more about than me btw) will just love that eh?
robroy:
Ok after looking at your very dark picture, what’s the alternative?
So what do we do eh?..
Just carry on letting things decline in the path it has been taking for the last 10 to 15 years.
Bend over cheeks parted, ■■■■ up all the crap, the zero hours jobs, the crap overtime rates, the ridiculously long hours we have to work to not make a good wage but a wage to live on.
The types of firms which are a bloody good reason for some kind of united front, the unscrupulous firms, and the up their own arse type firms, such as the likes of The Green Death (which you know more about than me btw) will just love that eh?
Unfortunately rob the dark picture that I paint is reality, there is little hope of it ever recovering from the depths it has sank, the drivers you see now will see to that along with the Eastern European drivers who are benefiting way above what we are and why they will come in their 1000s. In order to sort this mess out the answer is very simple, not unlike most drivers today. The reason why some jobs such as refrigeration men earn and live so well is not down to unions, not down to high skills although that does play a part. It has to do with what people will tolerate, unfortunately drivers today will tolerate long hours, low wages and accept bad conditions. Imagine if they would not accept these terms and conditions, who would drive the trucks? Unfortunately rob today’s drivers have no fight in them, they have no sense or pride, the ones that have are the ones who benefit. How do you think some drivers get better treat than others. I have the answer and I have the fight, start a real drivers union from drivers been in charge of that union and members who would stick by their fellow driver, I could turn this industry around very easily but who would stand with me? No one as they all believe this is just how it is and accept it. Your union as you know it will do nothing to better this industry, only you can.