If you’re in the union they pay your legal fees. If they don’t, they come out of your own pocket.
Not quite correct.
My home insurance comes with legal protection... for anything.
Some packaged bank accounts come with it too.
I often find the notion of unions old fashioned.
Someone a while ago said the younger generation generally don't join. Those that did may show a little naivety and join because they've been told to. Then you find some railway workers think it's life or death if you don't join.
My experience with a local Union rep was not a good one.
My experience with another local Union rep was also not a good one.
Both were in the camp of "if you're not in the Union, you're not worth talking to as a fellow employee".
That put me off joining.
For the £140 or whatever it is, it's an expensive diary.
The lie of "the Union get's you a pay rise" is... well, a lie.
Most employers will give employees a pay rise once a year. If not, moral (and service to customers) will disappear.
I also find some of the Union is all about money. They want a pay rise, full stop. I'd accept the slightly lower pay rise the company offers, but add in a wealth of other benifits instead. From the company side, they get to save cash. From the employees side, they then have better working conditions.
BUT: I see the merit in the Union for those that want it.
I just wish those that are in it don't look down on those that are not. It's treated like an old fashioned working mans club from the 70s. Ugh!