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#1 Posted : 24 December 2005 20:06:00(UTC)
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Posted By John Bright
Can anyone suggest a suitable trades union for H&S practicioners please.
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#2 Posted : 25 December 2005 15:17:00(UTC)
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Posted By Andrew Robertson-Böber
Amicus pretty much covers what we do.

AJRB
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#3 Posted : 26 December 2005 11:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By John McFeely
You can also rely on the Transport and General Workers Union. For more information try http://tgwu.org.uk
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#4 Posted : 26 December 2005 22:04:00(UTC)
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Posted By Scottie CMIOSH
I'll probably be slaughtered for this comment. As a profession we walk the line between senior management (business needs, insurance claims, reasonable practicability, etc) and worker welfare (not hurting the chaps and chappesses). I can't help but feel that the need for collectivity in such an environment is surprising.
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#5 Posted : 27 December 2005 10:41:00(UTC)
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Posted By bigwhistle
If you can afford huge legal costs when your boss sacks you because his/her partner fancies you then great. If not consider UNISON as they are pretty effective from my experience.
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#6 Posted : 27 December 2005 14:50:00(UTC)
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Posted By Andrew Robertson-Böber
Although I agree that in our professional positions one should remain impartial to the individual agendas of both Management and Trade Union this should not preclude the individual being a member of a Trade Union, as is their legal entitlement to do so.
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#7 Posted : 28 December 2005 09:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By John Bright
Thanks for responces so far, very helpfull.
I too thought that I did not need union membership. However things change and when there are propossed organisational changes, without consultation and you find that you may not have a place in that new organisation, all the good will and trust built up over the years tends to evaporate and you suddenly find you are on your own. Hence the need for some support outside of a very well meaning, but toothless staff association.
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#8 Posted : 28 December 2005 09:51:00(UTC)
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Posted By Gilly Margrave
Depends which sector you are working in. If you work for HSE it would be Prospect (but then you would know that if you did). Best bet is to use the TUC Unionfinder
(http://www.worksmart.org.uk/unionfinder/)

Gilly
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#9 Posted : 28 December 2005 10:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Gilly Margrave
Hi John,
I think you might find that your employer has a recognition agreement with UNISON.

Gilly
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#10 Posted : 28 December 2005 10:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rachel West
Um, I wouldn't recommend Unison. They can be extremely difficult to deal with unless there is very good organisation within your own branch.

If you are working for an individual employer, have a look at any active or recognised Trade Unions in your workplace. Alternatively, look at the industry sectors in which you work and select a trade union with a presence in those sectors. If you are a consultant, have a look around for trade unions which offer individual contract support.

Good Luck!!
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#11 Posted : 28 December 2005 11:31:00(UTC)
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Posted By Gilly Margrave
Hi Rachel,
Never had any problems dealing with UNISON myself and I have good reason to believe that there is a recognition agreement in place with this particular employer.

Gilly
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#12 Posted : 28 December 2005 12:36:00(UTC)
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Posted By ChrisB
Try "Prospect" - it used be solely for Civil Servants, but has opened up membership.
membership.chertsey@prospect.org.uk
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#13 Posted : 28 December 2005 13:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rachel West
I have to agree that Prospect are good.
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#14 Posted : 28 December 2005 16:25:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ken Taylor
You could also have a look at the MPO - which, I believe, are now part of the GMB.
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#15 Posted : 28 December 2005 17:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By Clairey O
What if your employer is not a union company? or maybe that should be what if your employer does not currently recognise a union?
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#16 Posted : 29 December 2005 14:06:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rachel West
If your employer is not unionised, you can still benefit from individual representation by a trade union, if you are a member. The only difference is that your trade union cannot carry out joint work force negotiations for you.

Certain TUs (such as, erm, Prospect) do offer membership options for individuals who carry out contract work as they have realised that this is an under represented area with definite scope for work place difficulties to develop.

Good greif. I'm starting to sound like a rep again.
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#17 Posted : 01 January 2006 21:43:00(UTC)
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Posted By Frank Hallett
I'm definitely not keen on a Safety Professionals Trade Union!

However, I do very such agree that there is a pressing need for an independant body that is designed to act as a safety, health, fire or environmental professionals' representative body in the event of any unfortunate event that involves that professional.

IOSH do not do the above and have clearly stated so in previous exchanges on this forum earlier this year - IOSH is not a body that represents safety, health, fire or environmental professionals: as I understand it, IOSH is a body that addresses the standards etc of the professional and furthers the pursuit of the relevant topics in a societal way as a body of professionals rather than as a professionals body.

Sorry if that is rather confusing - but I'm recovering from a traditional Polish Xmas!

Frank Hallett

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