h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Too flippin' true!

We couldn't even get management to agree to ACAS getting involved in a dispute over merger terms with the company that had bought out our employers. We (the half-dozen brave souls that had agreed to act as reps for the rest of the 200+ employees in the merger discussions with t'other companies management) were told that we were "obstructive" and "worse than trade unionists".

The management listened to what we had to say, "appreciated our input" and ignored every blasted thing we said, riding roughshod over the entire workforce. The majority of us ended up as redundant and then were called a year later to be asked if we wanted our old jobs back because they'd axed too many people!!

Gah!!! This was 2-1/2 yrs ago and it still makes me



BTW - can an employer insist on a no union rule for its staff? That's what we were told, which is why none of us were in a union

Management rarely agree to ACAS because the arbitration is legally binding.

Unlike Employment Tribunals they are also not set up in such a way as to stack the odds massivly in favour of the employer, ACAS being genuinly pretty fair. If justice is *really* on your side then ACAS is a good bet.

See presumably you were Tupeed? Under the law they *have* to kerep you on for a year and a day on your existing terms and ocnditions. Thay is the law.

No wonder they didn't want ACAS involved. Yet another reason why it is usefull to belong to a TU, business only care about one thing and you can only talk to them if you have the threat of a stick. Otherwise they ignore everything you say.

"BTW - can an employer insist on a no union rule for its staff? That's what we were told, which is why none of us were in a union"

No it is illegal, and if they sack someone for belonging to a union they can be sued for loads of money.

Isn't there some minimum percentage of the workforce that needs to join before the employer has to recognise the union for the purposes of collective bargaining?

Legally 40% of the workforce must be members of the Union before there is a statutory right to collective bargaining.

However anyone who is a member of a TU has a legal right to be represented by the TU in anything to do with work. So if you have 39%, all 39% can insist on having a meeting about the merger represented by the TU rep.

Thanks for the info, Ferrett. Really wish I'd known all this at the time.

We were pretty sure something y was going on, and spoke to ACAS for advice on how to handle the negotiations, but we couldn't force any compromises. You're right about the "year and a day" issue, too; though they ignored that and changed terms after about 8 months, which is why we were so against what they were doing.

Will make sure I join a union of some description next time I'm in gainful employment, that's for certain!

Well even if they dont have a union give me a shout and I will point you in the direction of the organisation department of one thats good for whatever industry you are in.

Being involved in one union it is usually easier to get hold of the right people at another one.

FB

When I saw your addendum, I decided to offer some moral support, but I see you've got a union full of it.
As a fellow, but different union, steward I shall pass on my pet hates: management's use of buzz-words and clichés which, when questioned, they struggle to explain, and my colleagues use of the word "basically" which appears even when they are not making reference to anything basic.
I digress.
When you have your feet a little further under the table you may find that your union has an association with Ruskin College Oxford. It has a tradition of providing places for trade union members.
In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy what you do.

Nil carborundum, Brother, Nil carborundum!

Cheers plaguesville.

I think anyone who uses the word "basically" more than twice a day at work is basically stupid. Especially if the also say "at the end of the day" and "the bottom line".

I like the way when a manager makes some arbitrary decision (like to say swap the teams around, they always try and portray it as in the best interests if the business, it will make us more efficient" ect ect.

However when you press them on this they almost always find it difficult to substantiate.

Out of interest what is your union?

It's only the biggest in the country: Unison (local government section)

Better get out of here before I turn into a pumpkin.

I posted before midnight. They've started the pre-mod early.
It's now 11.19 pm.

Come on plaguesville lets us have a little worker solidarity.

I am quite impressed with how well the h2g2 picket worked!

FB,

What a bummer #1:
I posted an overlong explanation of my previous intention, but it's not here. The gist was that I blamed "management" for the early kick off in modding, "If you're not going to work normally for your full shift, don't come in." sort of thing.

What a bummer #2:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4597821.stm
Having got the strike postponed, "management" will expect that, with balloting and all, the will to accept the minimal concession will be greater than the will to reinstate the industrial action. A ploy with which I am familiar.

Good Luck lads & lasses.

Fingures crossed.

The trick im my experience is to call another strike before the ballot expires, even if you have no intention of carrying it out.

I often think that with unions we often loose sight of the "Hearts and Minds" battle once talks begin. Whilst management constantly bombard the membership with propagander the union heirachys tend to remain silent in comparison. This sometimes leads to the membership "just wanting it sorted out".

Basically all I want to say to you Ferret is well done. At the end of the day you made a brave choice and that's the bottom line, and that's all I wanted to say, basically.

Yak

Cheers man.

You coming to Andys on sat for the Boxing? I think Moz is coming.