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

... which is a relief.

I just joined a union

Partly because I don't have enough money to have a Rechtschutzversicherung (legal insurance) and the only time I've needed it in the past is to take employers to court. (I'll be joining the Mieterbund - er... Tenants' Association - too in case I have trouble with my landlord (although I haven't so far, fingers crossed, please)

Partly because I can feel that a time is going to come soon when i have to put my money where my mouth is as far as my current employer is concerned and have their policies checked by an expert)

Partly under the influence of a very good friend who was horrified that I've never been in a union and pointed out the things that they do.

And partly from what I've seen round here of one Mr. Ferretbadger - which seems to confirm what my good friend has been telling me.

So there it is. After 1st January I'm a fully paid-up, card-carrying union member

You can't get me, I'm part of the Union

Good for you Sho, the T&G were very good to my Mum after my dad died and to my dad when he had some serious legal trouble, he didn't really want to join but he had no choice, but never regretted a penny he paid because they were there when he need them. IMHO I think you've made a good call there Sho

Welcome to the movement Sho.

Glad to hear that I have had some impact here .

Legal advice and help is one of the things modern trade unions can do so well for its members. I hope you manage to have a very positive experience of Trade Unionism!

Unions differ the world over. Some are great, always there for their members. Others seem to think their sole purpose is causing trouble with the company. Many years ago, my mum-in-law was a teacher and joined one of the unions (probably NUT, but I'm not sure). One day, while she was on 'playground duty', a little girl fell and injured her leg. The parents took mum-in-law to court for negligence and the union was no help at all, no legal advice, no moral support, nothing. The case was dismissed, quite rightly, but not before mum-in-law had a nervous breakdown and retired on health grounds.

Unions have improved a lot over the years. Just because some people, myself included, have had bad experiences, it doesn't mean they're all like that. Good luck with being a union member, and I hope they get things sorted out for you.

Well, I didn't join to make trouble - I should have done it years ago!

The unions here are pretty big - they recently amalgamated a fair few of them which is when I really started to take notice of them. One thing they do, which I am very keen on, is pressuring the government and employers to provide more training places for school leavers (we have an excellent system of apprenticeships here, for office work as well as other of the more "traditional" apprenticeship type skills)

And that is an issue which is going to be very close to my heart soon enough.

Indeedy.

One of things Unions are very good at is "campaigning" for change in law and the state. They provide a ocunterbalance to organisations like the "CBI" in the UK who argue agianst *any* regulation or taxation of business.

I understand where Cheerful is ocming form though. It is vital that Trade Unions adapt to the times, and too often me and my comrades get a little "hide bound". I suppose that is where ambitious forward thinking "Young Turks" like mself come in.

Right on, Sister Sho!

Well done you!

Go Sho! Fight the system!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa did someone mention the CBI?

sheesh, whenever they're on the Today Programme I can see my knuckles turn white and feel my face go red - then my driving gets agressive... (I listen in the car on the way to work)

I know what you mean re the CBI, and one particular exression that seldom fails to start me ranting if they mention it on Today or PM, is "flexible labour". In other words, remove workers' rights to say no to working all hours or taking on additional tasks that are put on them as a result of 'down sizing' (yet another expression that makes me ).

I'm orff again! Now see wot yer gorn an dun!

Ahhh yes. "Flexible Labour"

Translation, it was easier to make money in the good old days of Dickensian Workhouses. These pesky workers get in the way of the true purpose of life. Fat Cat profits!

oh tell me about it... I work for a Korean company after all... apparently in Eastern Europe they all love to work 24 hours a day and to heck with their children...

the CBI wouldn't bother me quite so much if they even tried not to act as though everyone apart from them can't understand what they're actually saying...

oh here we go...

Let's all go and pitch a soapbox and tent in Speakers Corner (if it hasn't been banned/censored yet)!