The United Road Transport Union kindly published my letter. It may have some relevance to ETMs.
SELF EMPLOYED MEMBERS
In the “thank you” letter in the “Wheels Magazine”, August 2016, Andrew Smith refers to no longer requiring union membership as he has become self employed.
It would be useful if the Union could clarify its position regarding self-employed and managerial members. Like many others, I was driving for agencies. I found it more satisfactory to be self-employed and be responsible rot my own tax affairs. Subsequently they insisted that I go through a “company”. Accordingly I formed a Ltd company. This worked well and I retained my union membership when I retired from driving and carried on as an external transport manager.
Does the Union embrace (allow) self-employed, managers and directors and give them the same support and benefits (legal representation etc) as employed members?
Editor of Wheels Magazine replied
I can confirm that our union certainly does allow membership from self employed drivers, managers, and directors (as well as an array of ether roles within road haulage, distribution and logistics) and gives them the same support and benefits as employed members.
Memories … When I worked for Tesco the told me to join the union, much to the dismay of the shop steward I ignored the request to join the shop workers union like everyone else, and joined the URTU. I was the only member of that union in the entire workforce LOL.
Pat Hasler:
Memories … When I worked for Tesco the told me to join the union, much to the dismay of the shop steward I ignored the request to join the shop workers union like everyone else, and joined the URTU. I was the only member of that union in the entire workforce LOL.
That does rather defeat the point of being in a union.
In the ongoing debate of whether agency are genuinely self-employed, I’ve not come across many genuinely self-employed people who ever want to go out on strike or pay union subs.
Own Account Driver:
In the ongoing debate of whether agency are genuinely self-employed, I’ve not come across many genuinely self-employed people who ever want to go out on strike or pay union subs.
true, but the union member driver enjoys the strength and support and protection of the union. This gives him legal/financial support for the swathe of legislation concerning drivers hours and traffic offences disciplinary and accident compensation etc. I was asking whether this support extends to the labyrinth of company and contract law to which a director, manager or proprietor might be exposed.
Own Account Driver:
In the ongoing debate of whether agency are genuinely self-employed, I’ve not come across many genuinely self-employed people who ever want to go out on strike or pay union subs.
true, but the union member driver enjoys the strength and support and protection of the union. This gives him legal/financial support for the swathe of legislation concerning drivers hours and traffic offences disciplinary and accident compensation etc. I was asking whether this support extends to the labyrinth of company and contract law to which a director, manager or proprietor might be exposed.
That’s the problem mate when you mention the word ‘union’ in the context of Trade Union.
You are jumped on because people are blinded by the visions of 70s style militancy and striking at the drop of a hat.
I am all for some kind of union among drivers, but have no desire to be a militant arse and strike for the least little thing.
Maybe if a few more could open their eyes, keep an open mind, and try to see beyond the stereotype 70s Unions, we may all become a bit better off in terms of ts and cs, pay and definitely bull ■■■■ such as in cab cameras for example.
A better alternative I reckon to the current popular UK driver style of bending over and parting your cheeks, as adopted my many, as illustrated by some points of view and opinions in this forum alone.
Sorry mate can’t answer your o/p question, just posting to avoid all the anti union crap by those who bend over. (I’m not including Own ac driver here btw, as I do not know him)
Sorry, yes, my point was not related to the pros or cons of being in a union but rather that if you wish to have self-employed status in HMRC’s eyes then being a union member may not be supportive of that they may argue it is the behaviour of an employee who should be PAYE.
The sort of assistance you’re looking at is what would normally be provided by a trade association for someone like a self-employed plumber not a union - I would not recommend the RHA as being a money well spent alternative though there probably isn’t one in fact.
