Union Rep ??

[sully]

Phew, i rang unison today, as i needed some clariffication on a few things and ....... as they have done before they asked me yet again to become a union representative, and this time with all the changes coming i am starting to think that maybe i should go for it, but i am also having doubts too. I explained my doubts, and the union rep who was trying to recruit me laughed lol, and said they would sort me out . My doubts are at times i have selective hearing and only hear what i want to hear. My other doubt is that i cant hide my true feelings and i do try hard with this one but i cant pretend to like some one if i dont, i dunno would i be able to sit at meetings with the big wigs and the fat cats and hide my contempt, but big changes are coming and im thinking it would maybe be better to have a little knowledge rather than none at all, but then i think a little knowledge can be dangerous. Well as i type the form is on its way ......should i sign ? or should i stay ?

[taff]

you can always change your mind if you don't like it, or people will change it for you if you don't do a good job
there's not much you can negotiate for these days, depending on your workplace.

[Florence Fennel]

You'll never know if you don't have a go.

[ginger ninger]

I was a little like that when I was asked to be a rep when I was on the bus's sully. I umed and arred for quite a while until I thought "at least I might be able to make a difference". So I filled the forms in and had 5 years as a rep. I was the only lady rep's in the T&G 9 division. I represented mostly the women bus drivers, but also got to represented the men, which at time was fun. I loved every minute of it. Yup there were some people I had to represent that I thought were out of order and thought deserved everything that was coming to them, but you have to look past all that. The head quarterer are at Meadowhall, so it was a good excuse to go shopping when I had to go on courses. I'd say have a go, you've got naff all to loose and maybe a lot to gain. Good Luck with it all.

[Nicos]

Well I did it for a short time in Cardiff back in the 80's and then moved to S Manchester and was immediately asked to be No 2 rep.

Hmm....The peeps in Cardiff listened, asked questions and basically were positive people to be around.
In S. Manchester it was like a lamb to the slaughter! ( I soon packed that one in)

So what I'm saying that it depends very much on the group of peeps you'll be working with. The only way to find out is to jump in with both feet.
Why not suggest that you'll try it for a few months?....or can you go along to a few meetings with the present Union rep to get the feel of things?

[zazen999]

I don't want to be a party pooper but....

I've been management and have had to investigate and discipline people I liked; and also have had to let off those I didn't. Liking people should not come into it....and it worries me that you have identified this trait yourself and are still thinking about it.

Also - your other trait of only hearing what you want to hear.

How would this all bode out if you had a detailed but boring case with someone that was innocent but you didn't like; or someone who was guilty but who the company really needed to discipline? Much of the time, the devil is indeed in the detail...and if you are prone to miss things it could really impact on someone's life, and indeed, career.

I think you should think long and hard before jumping in, personally.

[chris]

The peeps in Cardiff listened, asked questions and basically were positive people to be around.

Is this the same Cardiff I work in?

[Snadger]

I thought you had to be elected from the shop floor anyway?

[sully]

Yep i do have to be elected from the shop floor, they are sending me a form out to sign and then ask two other members to sign ( if they agree) and then return the form. Have spoken to my colleagues and they want me to go for it as they think i would do a good job, and at least by putting my hands up and knowing my weakness means i can if i want too, work on them, and after all none of us are without our faults, its the ones that dont recognise their weakness or think they dont have any that in my experience are the hardest ones to deal with, within the workplace that is

[Jeanied]

I think good union reps are in very short supply. It would be great to have someone with a bit of common sense and humanity, who doesn't lead their members astray but insists they get fair treatment from the bosses. In the end it makes for a better workforce all round. So I would suggest go for it. Learn to listen, that's a great skill and make sure everyone else does it too.

[sully]

Thankyou, my contempt does not extend to any of my fellow workers it lies with the big guys who are freezing wages, cutting annual leave, deducting pay and threatening vital services for the weak and vulnerable . I work for local council

[Hilary B]

Going in to anything resembling negotiation with a preconceived idea about the 'worth' of those you might have to do business with is NOT a good idea. If you can't accept that MOST of those making the tough decisions you don't like MAY not like those decisions any more than you do, but see them as unavoidable, you won't really be doing anyone a favour.
Assume they are doing what they think is for 'the greatest good of the greatest number' (if only because they need a degree of popularity) and while they may be total idiots, or have a got things badly wrong, it doesn't make them any worse people than anyone else! If you can do that (and still argue your corner) you may make a real difference.

[Snadger]

Yep i do have to be elected from the shop floor, they are sending me a form out to sign and then ask two other members to sign ( if they agree) and then return the form. Have spoken to my colleagues and they want me to go for it as they think i would do a good job, and at least by putting my hands up and knowing my weakness means i can if i want too, work on them, and after all none of us are without our faults, its the ones that dont recognise their weakness or think they dont have any that in my experience are the hardest ones to deal with, within the workplace that is

Any updates? Have you taken the job?

[butter fingers]

you will have to go on training courses to be a rep and possibly choose what type of training eg specialise as a healh and safety rep.
depending on your work place you could end up being expected to do any and everything, also time from your duties to do union duties and access to phones, computer etc.you will also be working on a knive edge because although you will attend meetings regarding any work changes most managers will think you are attending as a courtesy only and not comprehend that you do hold a certain amount of legal say so after proper training.the plus side is you will get wind of things being looked at that otherwise you would have no idea about,but remember most of what is discussed is confidential as is when representing a member of staff in tribunals etc.
personaly im a bit dissapointed with the back up i recieve from branch and often find information not passed on correspondance arriving to late for use etc.