UKtramp:
You can all kid yourselves on as much as you like that being in a union is somehow protecting you and your interests. Companies are no longer afraid of the unions and the unions have very little power over them. They are more like lawyers nowadays and looking out for themselves. The members of the unions (you) are even more afraid of losing their jobs and dare not rock the boat, wait until you end up in a situation that you need your mates and the union to stand by you, you will be sadly disappointed. The union rep will be on the lookout for himself and the union are doing the same thing, what are you left with? A bunch of lads who dare not say boo to a ghost. Union or no union, you are on your own. A complete waste of time.
I think it depends what sector of work. When JLR had the idea of scrapping the final salary pension for the old boys, all it took was the Union to threaten an overtime ban for them to back down.
The same union has secured me nearly 10% in pay rises the last 3 years with £500-750+ cash bonus’s for signing the new pay deals.
another 4.5% increase from the 1st of next month too.
Unions aint all that bad in my experience.