Hey up i was just wondering if there was any other RMT members on here, ive recently joined Union - not sure if RMT is most appropriate or not but 1 of the lads was already in it from his railway days. 
As long as you get good back up and service from them then I don’t think it matters which union you belong to BUT a transport union such as URTU might be more understanding in trucker related matters.
The one very good thing about the RMT is that they still have a pair, unlike many of the other unions. In my personal experience, I would avoid joining a union that has as members a majority of white collar workers or women, UNISON springs to mind here. That kind of union will always be weaker than a union such as the RMT.
When I worked in the printing industry, I was unfortunate to have been a member of NATSOPA, and for the reasons I have stated above, it was a lot weaker than SOGAT or the NGA, and as a consequence, generally had poorer pay and conditions.
I agree with ROG URTU would probably be better for you ,I think there is an office in barnsley, but their head office is in Cheadle Stockport.
their legal dept. is spot on, I have used them a couple of times regarding speeding , and been more than satisfied.
you can contact them on 0161485 3109.
Ragnarok:
The one very good thing about the RMT is that they still have a pair, unlike many of the other unions. In my personal experience, I would avoid joining a union that has as members a majority of white collar workers or women, UNISON springs to mind here. That kind of union will always be weaker than a union such as the RMT.When I worked in the printing industry, I was unfortunate to have been a member of NATSOPA, and for the reasons I have stated above, it was a lot weaker than SOGAT or the NGA, and as a consequence, generally had poorer pay and conditions.
So the RMT is out there shouting for the abolishion of road fuel tax so road transport can compete with rail and pay it’s drivers a similar rate of pay as train drivers get■■?.I 'll believe that the RMT support the interests of truck drivers when I see it.
I agree with ROG URTU would probably be better for you, their head office is in Cheadle Stockport.
You can contact them on 0161485 3109.
Agreed also, I carry membership forms with me at all time, surprising how many drivers realise they should be in URTU, especially when problems arise. MUCH better than company paid drivers’ reps.
Joined the T&G not long ago, not used them for anything but it is sort of reasuring to be in a union…i think it costs me about £10 a month.
Carryfast:
Ragnarok:
The one very good thing about the RMT is that they still have a pair, unlike many of the other unions. In my personal experience, I would avoid joining a union that has as members a majority of white collar workers or women, UNISON springs to mind here. That kind of union will always be weaker than a union such as the RMT.When I worked in the printing industry, I was unfortunate to have been a member of NATSOPA, and for the reasons I have stated above, it was a lot weaker than SOGAT or the NGA, and as a consequence, generally had poorer pay and conditions.
So the RMT is out there shouting for the abolishion of road fuel tax so road transport can compete with rail and pay it’s drivers a similar rate of pay as train drivers get■■?.I 'll believe that the RMT support the interests of truck drivers when I see it.
The RMT is an example, there are of course other unions out there. The important thing is to join one that still has a bit of spirit left in it and a willingness to stand up for their rights. Not all drivers work in general transport either. For example, Metro Net operates its own fleet of dustcarts, those drivers may well be better off in the RMT.
im in the rmt,
its ok and i would say the best of them all and i think bob crow is a top bloke and first on the picket lines to offer support. although it is a rail union but covers road and also sea.
not bad but the others are crap.
URTU certainly ain’t crap, helped me a lot recently.
Remember, a man can’t serve two masters. If it’s 50 warehouse staff versus 5 drivers, who are gonna have more say?
I’ll tell you. The majority, which is the warehouse staff.
One job, one union.
I have been with T&G and then URTU in the past, and when it came to actually needing them they were both as much use as a handbrake on a canoe.
DAFMAD:
I have been with T&G and then URTU in the past, and when it came to actually needing them they were both as much use as a handbrake on a canoe.
You forgot to say on the edge of Niagra Falls. 
…as much use as a handbrake on a canoe.
Much better than no canoe at all!
OK, give us the reason for your comment.
In fact, anyone with a recent axe to grind about unions should post about it.
Things have changed in the last few years, have you?
If any of the unions were up to their job we wouldn’t have weekly posts on this forum about the drivers CPC, POA or the RTD.
The unions do not have any â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– , if you need legal advice because of a speeding fine, go to a solicitor. If you need travel, car or sickness insurance, go to a broker.
Is there anything else the unions do?
URTU have been very helpful to me, and still are, so no complaints on a personnal level.
On a national level their powers have been so curtailed by laws that they have no teeth so making loud noises serves no purpose if they cannot legally back them up - who is afraid of a dog barking loudly if they know it has no teeth!!â– â–
IMHO it is not a case of what the union is like, but more a case of what your local rep is like.
When I was on the buses I had 2 different experiences of the same union (RMT but that is coincedental)
1, rota changes. "I’ll look after you lads, the duties will be shared out equally. What actually happened was all the cream ended up on the reps rota, and all the crap on the other rota’s
- 5 years later, I was called in for a discaplinary regarding an accident. (No I didn’t before you ask) a car was hit but no reg or fleet numbers obtained. based on the time’s 4 buses were in the frame. mine was the most battered so they decided 2 weeks later that mine had marks consistnt with that type of accident. (only 3 out of the 4 were checked) It turns out that the car belonged to the wife of the local Vosa inspector.
To cut a long story short, the (new) rep ripped them to shreds…and I ended up getting an apology…not bad considering they called me in for a bollocking
Well I work for Stobbies and i want to join a union(reps are ■■■■■■■■■■■one though?I know T&G are represented at Crick but aren’t the URTU the Drivers union!!!HHEEELLPPPPPPPPPP
jessicas dad:
i think bob crow is a top bloke
You sure?, sure he’s got a big gob but so have many union bosses, he comes across as a complete [zb]…
Does he bring you any benefit for your fees?, he is just all mouth and no trousers like most union leaders
Lets face it the unions have got bugger all influence nowadays
Just a thought mate, I’m in the URTU and as part of my substhere is a sort of insurance scheme, basically means that if you do get a speeding or parking ticket at work they will reimburse it, still get the points, but at least your pocket aint £60 lighter. I know T&G do the same thing. I just wonder if the RMT has that sought of scheme going. Its the sort of low level assistance that you ought to be thinking about. I found it helpful earlier this year when I thought redundancy was on the cards to be able to ring up my area rep, and get straight answers to questions about my rights, which were tailored to me, and not just ran of some tick sheet in a call center. And offer to further assistance if i had been made redundant. Not an issue at the moment as i have recently departed the sinking now capsised ship. for more stable craft 
Just to add-Any driver who works for Stobart is crazy if they don’t join a union asap.They are worse than they have ever been in the last 12 months.If their drivers have any sense they will join a union.