To be realistic about this, then unless you’re in a place that recognises unions and has at least 51% of staff as members, then yourself and the internet is a far better way to resolve any issues that the union would help with.
h.
fredthered:
Can anyone give an example of a union (any union) that has actually improved the lot of your average ‘professional’ driver?
We have URTU, and they negotiated a 6% pay rise for us from April, 2% of which was back dated over the last financial year. Also, two drivers had their jobs reinstated when argued to be unfairly sacked. I’ve noticed the difference between my current employer and my last (where there was no union presence) in that working conditions are generally better.
GMB have to be the worst union I have ever had the misfortune to be in.
they managed to turn down a 10% pay increase at ASDA and eventually accept 2.8, managed through representation to get me almost sacked.
best thing I ever done was tell them to sod off and represent myself.
I would be intrested in joining a union myself
ROG:
I found URTU to be very good at dealing with individual issues
this sound my cup of tea
Do you have a link for them by any chance?
Makes me laugh discussions about unions,they didn’t spring up because somebody thought it was a good idea it was to overcome archaic and unsafe working practices foisted on the many by the privileged few who would still have us doffing our caps as we walked in if they could get away with it.
this hits the nail on the head
does anybody realy think if all the stobarts drivers walked out tommorow ( or any of the other large hauliers ) they wouldnt have an effect and focus the managements minds ?
Im pretty sure usdaw have a no strike policy.
I’m with unite only 2 drivers in the depot are not unionised. Pretty happy really, good wages, good terms and conditions. The shop steward fella seems to know his stuff.
The worst thing about unite is the amount of texts and junk mail come election time, trying to get you to vote labour!
Latique:
Makes me laugh discussions about unions,they didn’t spring up because somebody thought it was a good idea it was to overcome archaic and unsafe working practices foisted on the many by the privileged few who would still have us doffing our caps as we walked in if they could get away with it.
Do you mean the old scum bag pickets from back in the days of coal mining strikes that have been leased by the government a new line of fascism
Yes health and safety fascism is back!
Juddian:
Unite, formerly TGWU, have been a member for years and the jobs where unionised are invariably at the better end of terms and conditions.Or you could try RMT, who apparently do welcome HGV drivers, though i don’t know any lorry drivers who are members.
…If you’re the first HGV driver to sign up to the RMT union then… I can’t see them calling everyone out should some desk jockey give you the order of the boot over some trumped-up charge…
Sounds like a wasted Union sub to me.
Most of the better paid jobs I know of are in places with stronger unions,I’m a GMB rep and were strong on the Transport side so we get a decent rate 
I love how the general public lambasted and pilloried the biggest Union leader of them all in Bob Crow when he was alive, the Tories hated him ( that’s enough for me to like him)for bringing London transport to a halt more than once but they had a begrudging respect for him the way he stood up for his people and the way he worked.
But the most important thing is that he will go down as a hero in his members eyes and that’s all that matters. If the road transport industry had a union leader with the size of his balls then maybe we would see a difference but as you can see on this thread, truck drivers can’t and wont stand together or agree on certain things.
However I would recommend a person to join a Union for his own welfare I.e in disaplinary, changes to contract/work condition/wages situations and where someone who could give you advice on law issues is just a phone call away. In this industry you’re on your own it doesn’t matter what your workmates say, as soon as they leave the gates in the yard its a me and me only mentality sod the rest, unfortunately its just the way road transport is.
I’m in the URTU and I would defiantly recommend them to anyone on here. They do mobile stands at certain truckstops/services around the country where you can pop in for a drink and a chat and some advice if you have any problems at work.
As other links have been posted
A maybe in the future http://www.pdu-uk.co.uk Professional Drivers Union UK
Going in T&D next month
the maoster:
I campaigned unsuccessfully for a long time for the rise to only apply to those who either attended the meetings, had a ■■■■ good excuse why they didn’t or actually were union members.
Isn’t that what the FEES are for? The union to actually do something for the members 
Can’t fault the RMT west Yorkshire branch - well worth it but I guess its having a good shop steward that makes a union!