Unions...let's talk.

[Anaesthesia]

A lot of union controversy recently with the rail and tube strikes.

There's been a lot of negativity towards the tube strikes in particular, with many commentators stating that these people are already paid enough. But that's not what they are striking for.

Let's say, you have a contract stating you are going to work so many hours, under certain conditions. And you signed that, you're happy with it.

Let's now say, actually, that's changed. Now you have to work through the night on certain occasions, specified by the company. Your contract is going to be changed, whether you like it or not.

Would you just turn round and say, oh, ok? Or would you say, ****** right off.

Now imagine you had someone to back you up if you didn't like what was happening to your job.

What's not to like?

[Crimson Dynamo]

If I was getting £49,000 a year and 40 odd days free paid holiday for sitting on my arse doing feck all I would put up with it or get another job

[Anaesthesia]

If I was getting £49,000 a year and 40 odd days free paid holiday for sitting on my arse doing feck all I would put up with it or get another job

Apply to be a tube driver? :)

I feel the same way about becoming a politician...love to shout out my opinions and get paid for it...I'd also love to be a beer taster.

You can always covet jobs you think are easy. Until you've done them however, you aren't in any position to speculate about the particular stresses.

[Anaesthesia]

I guess what I am driving at here...

Would you like someone to represent your best interests at work? Or do you prefer to take your own chances.

[Anaesthesia]

Arista...as a Corbyn supporter, I would love to hear your opinions on the unions...how do you feel?

[Northern Monkey]

I'm all for peoples right to strike.Everybody needs to be able to show their discontent with the conditions at work.How else can people defend themselves when the bosses start taking liberties with the work force.

[user104658]

I'm all for peoples right to strike.Everybody needs to be able to show their discontent with the conditions at work.How else can people defend themselves when the bosses start taking liberties with the work force.
The answer is that they can't, and the bosses do take liberties. My workplace has gotten worse year on year the 5 years that I've worked for the company, they keep piling on more work and more responsibility (and steeper punishments for not living up to impossible standards) and there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it. I've worked with a few people who have been with the company for 20 to 30years and they all say the same; up until about 15 years ago the working conditions were brilliant, the job was varied, vibrant and enjoyable, and people higher up in the company were respectful and friendly. Now the workforce is treated like dirt by people on massive salaries who flit into the company for 18 months, **** about changing everything, then leave for another company and another new face appears to start again. It's ridiculous.

We are contractually banned from unionising and I know exactly why. The nature of the business means that if half of the workforce was to strike for 48 hours, the company would be crippled.

[Northern Monkey]

The answer is that they can't, and the bosses do take liberties. My workplace has gotten worse year on year the 5 years that I've worked for the company, they keep piling on more work and more responsibility (and steeper punishments for not living up to impossible standards) and there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it. I've worked with a few people who have been with the company for 20 to 30years and they all say the same; up until about 15 years ago the working conditions were brilliant, the job was varied, vibrant and enjoyable, and people higher up in the company were respectful and friendly. Now the workforce is treated like dirt by people on massive salaries who flit into the company for 18 months, **** about changing everything, then leave for another company and another new face appears to start again. It's ridiculous.

We are contractually banned from unionising and I know exactly why. The nature of the business means that if half of the workforce was to strike for 48 hours, the company would be crippled.Most places are the same now.In my 17 years of working life i've worked for ONE company that was amazing to work for.Breaks when you wanted as long as your area was covered,A union,The bosses would discuss ideas with you and listen to your pov rather than just say 'my way or the highway'.Nobody took the piss because everyone enjoyed working there and everyone worked hard.Unfortunately like all good things that came to an when it closed down.Most other companies i've worked at have got progressively worse.

[Kizzy]

Who in their right mind would be against a body of people from their profession that worked on your behalf as a collective to ensure a fair wage, conditions and safety standards?...
You would have to be a halfwit to not want those things, individualism is great but when you're stood alone you're so much easier to knock down.

[Anaesthesia]

The answer is that they can't, and the bosses do take liberties. My workplace has gotten worse year on year the 5 years that I've worked for the company, they keep piling on more work and more responsibility (and steeper punishments for not living up to impossible standards) and there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it. I've worked with a few people who have been with the company for 20 to 30years and they all say the same; up until about 15 years ago the working conditions were brilliant, the job was varied, vibrant and enjoyable, and people higher up in the company were respectful and friendly. Now the workforce is treated like dirt by people on massive salaries who flit into the company for 18 months, **** about changing everything, then leave for another company and another new face appears to start again. It's ridiculous.

We are contractually banned from unionising and I know exactly why. The nature of the business means that if half of the workforce was to strike for 48 hours, the company would be crippled.

Terrifying and true.

[Anaesthesia]

Most places are the same now.In my 17 years of working life i've worked for ONE company that was amazing to work for.Breaks when you wanted as long as your area was covered,A union,The bosses would discuss ideas with you and listen to your pov rather than just say 'my way or the highway'.Nobody took the piss because everyone enjoyed working there and everyone worked hard.Unfortunately like all good things that came to an when it closed down.Most other companies i've worked at have got progressively worse.

I also worked for a company I LOVED...about 20 years ago. Digital...DEC. Was amazing, we had a smoking room with a pool table and we were encouraged to go on to the (fledgling) intranet at work.

A month ago I quit my present job,( fortunately was offered another role today), but I could not cope with their impossible expectations, and decided I'd rather be poor than ill. I wish I'd had a union there to fight for me.

[JoshBB]

Apparently socialism is the politics of envy, yet we're not the ones moaning about Tube Drivers earning the wages they do. They voted to strike over unfair changing of the hours they would work, not pay. They should be able to spend time with their families or if not, doing a hobby or something they enjoy.

If the government wants this night tube then they should consider hiring more tube drivers to take the shifts, not lengthen the current ones' hours.

Trade Unions are a great protection for workers' rights and a vital aspect of democracy in my opinion.

[Kizzy]

JoshBB;8073098]Apparently socialism is the politics of envy, yet we're not the ones moaning about Tube Drivers earning the wages they do.[/B] They voted to strike over unfair changing of the hours they would work, not pay. They should be able to spend time with their families or if not, doing a hobby or something they enjoy.

If the government wants this night tube then they should consider hiring more tube drivers to take the shifts, not lengthen the current ones' hours.

Trade Unions are a great protection for workers' rights and a vital aspect of democracy in my opinion.

Great point, It's actually laughable that the only people that are seen as deserving a pay rise are ...politicians! You couldn't make it up could you?