Union reps

[Ryanclark1982]

How do you put in a complaint regarding union representation?
We here at craigentinny depot are having problems with our reps, no shop meetings, nothin.

 

[godfreycomplex]

I'd say talk to your reps directly first. Maybe they aren't organising shop meetings e.t.c. because they think no-one wants to come to them. If they don't know there's a problem....
Just a thought

 

[jamieP]

Contact your unions head office.

 

[380101]

How do you put in a complaint regarding union representation?
We here at craigentinny depot are having problems with our reps, no shop meetings, nothin.

If you are lucky enough to have a diary from them, there will be contact details for all the union officials and head office. I assume you are in Unite as most other maintenence guys at the depots are?

 

[devinier]

Be careful, before you know it you will be the union rep

 

[route:oxford]

How do you put in a complaint regarding union representation?
We here at craigentinny depot are having problems with our reps, no shop meetings, nothin.

What's a "shop meeting"?

I've been a member of Unite and it's predecessors for almost 30 years and never been invited to one...

Indeed, the last time a Union rep actually approached me was 2nd January 1996... But it was -10 outside, snowing and going into work was a much more inviting proposition.

 

[Clip]

How do you put in a complaint regarding union representation?
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First I would hope that this isnt your real name and you have just insulted a work colleague on a public forum widely read by staff for being crap as his role as a rep - would be an interesting showdown when you meet monday


Follow the advice given and use the contacts in your diary if you have one or if not find the helpline for your union. call that

 

[306024]

In the long run, when elections are due (assuming the reps have to stand for re-election every two years), put your name in the hat and let democracy take its course. Having been there and done it, I can confirm it is generally a thankless task but good experience nevertheless.

 

[GB]

What's a "shop meeting"?

I've been a member of Unite and it's predecessors for almost 30 years and never been invited to one...

Indeed, the last time a Union rep actually approached me was 2nd January 1996... But it was -10 outside, snowing and going into work was a much more inviting proposition.

I'd guess shop meeting is a union/branch meeting, similarly, a shop steward is a workers union representative.

 

[nottinghamcity]

I would be upset if I was reported to branch for failings, if I had not had chance to monitor members' wishes or requirements. It is likely that approaching the rep(s) involved will get results. Only then would I recommend escalation. Standing forward at re-election time could help too!

 

[Steve Harris]

I'd guess shop meeting is a union/branch meeting, similarly, a shop steward is a workers union representative.

Kinda... There are normally 'branch meetings' (self explanatory) and 'shop stewards meetings' when all the shop stewards meet.

For instance, if there was a company in 1 location with 10 departments, you would have 1 shop steward per dept. So 10 shop stewards would meet probably monthly to pass information from the union members in there dept to the other shop stewards and vice versa. On top of that you normally have 1 of the shop stewards elected to be a senior shop steward or convener who will have a deputy and these two are the guys ( or girls) who would meet with the company regards any issues or wage claims etc.


As the above OP says, it's a thankless task.

 

[silverfoxcc]

What's a "shop meeting"?

I've been a member of Unite and it's predecessors for almost 30 years and never been invited to one...

Indeed, the last time a Union rep actually approached me was 2nd January 1996... But it was -10 outside, snowing and going into work was a much more inviting proposition.

And that, is how the unions get all the neanderthal leaders who appear to be the ancestors of todays bloody idiots. In our instance, following a failed attempt to get the unit shut, common sense prevails and we quickly voted them out by turning up at the next meeting. The management/workers relationship blossomed, but these spoilt buggers moaned for years about a 'rigged' election. Bit like the 'Reamainers' today
Everything is ok as long as they get their way

Lesson, do nothing and the nutters get in, remember that empty vessels etc etc Todays antics and quotes seen in the papers by Jeremy jollyboys have a very strong whiff of all those years ago.

 

[Greenback]

In my experience in a range of workplaces, there isn't really a great deal of interest in attending union meetings. The exception is when there's some kind of dispute, and even then the attendance can be inconsistent. I don't find it surprising that a sense of apathy can set in with the result that things like branch meetings are not advertised as well as they could be.

 

[Clarence Yard]

What's a "shop meeting"?

In old money - Depot Staff meeting for workshop grade staff. At one depot I worked at Shop Meetings were allowed to take place on one day a month (2 hours max) or ad hoc if there were proposals to discuss (4 hours max).

In those (BR) days most workshop staff at the depots where I was working were members of craft ("Confed") unions rather than the NUR but the elected reps could come from any union involved in the official machinery of negotiation.

Sometimes nothing would happen for months and the reps were was just doing the usual staff related problems (discipline, illness etc) but at other times it would be one reorganizational matter after another and they would be booked (full pay) on union duties for days at a time.

At times it could be a thankless task.

 

[Greenback]

Indeed. A lot of the things the reps do will be unseen by the average union member. Mind you, much has changed since the days of BR.

 

[FordFocus]

Your username is a full name with possible date of birth and place of work. Be careful posting stuff like this on forums with thousands of hits a day, it could cause friction between colleagues.

 

[Ryanclark1982]

I'm not caring, what are they going to do to me exactly? Everyone is the same here

 

[Scotrail84]

I'm not caring, what are they going to do to me exactly? Everyone is the same here

Clearly not.

You in Rmt, tssa or aslef?

 

[Ryanclark1982]

RMT, GG, JF , CH all useless for us

 

[Andrewlong]

First I would hope that this isnt your real name and you have just insulted a work colleague on a public forum widely read by staff for being crap as his role as a rep - would be an interesting showdown when you meet monday


Follow the advice given and use the contacts in your diary if you have one or if not find the helpline for your union. call that

No union rep should be above criticism, feedback or whatever you want to call it. And poster shouldn't live in fear of getting a frosting reception on Monday if they are not happy. Hope you work it out. In my industry, constructive criticism is a positive as it gives an opportunity to improve.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

No union rep should be above criticism, feedback or whatever you want to call it. And poster shouldn't live in fear of getting a frosting reception on Monday if they are not happy. Hope you work it out. In my industry, constructive criticism is a positive as it gives an opportunity to improve.

Equally the OP may be stirring up opposition to an adversary or opponent. there are two sides to it all and we have so far only heard one.

The way to make the union more responsive to the demands of the majority is to turn up to branch meetings and participate.
The problem is more a general malaise of today - we all want things done/changed/improved but we're too lazy and apathetic to put the effort in required to get things done/changed/improved bar the mess room bitching and squawking and bashing a keyboard.

 

[Scotrail84]

RMT, GG, JF , CH all useless for us

Portobello number 1 branch then? Branch meetings are the last saturday of every month at the RAF club on Hillside place just off London Rd. Go there and raise your issue.

 

[cjmillsnun]

RMT, GG, JF , CH all useless for us

If you feel the union reps are that bad, talk to them or consider becoming one yourself. I am one (not in the railway industry), and you will be surprised about how much is done behind the scenes. That said, they should be visible and approachable.

Apathy and whining online won't change things.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Everything is ok as long as they get their way

.

... you mean the bosses ? zero hour contracts, minimum wage as standard... people with the luxury of a union should look at what it is like without one.