Just wondering if anyone has experience of unions in the workplace, as I have never worked anywhere that has been unionised.

We have a member of staff who is currently part-way through an insurance claim against us (which he will win, we were at fault). He has returned to work this week after a prolonged absence due to an 'injury' at work and is telling all and sundry that he will be "getting the union in".

He is the only member of staff that is a member of a union, and I am curious as to what this would/could actually entail - especially as he is the only member. 

I understand the usual H&S requirements about liaising with unions, appointing a safety representative etc., but would that apply in this case?

Thanks

I have always worked in unionised workplaces and I know that they can very from total ineffectual why do they even bother organisations to terrifyingly powerful groups(although most were at the ineffectual end). Unions(or more accurately Union Appointed Safety reps) have certain rights under the 1977 regulations, which you are probably  aware of: the right to be consulted, the right to sit on the H&S committee, the right investigate accidents and the right to see H&S reports. They can stir things up   when someone is making a claim but once it has gone then there is very little that a union can do. At most they can take part in the lessons learned part of the follow to an investigation.  They can’t shut the place down or take the company to court independently. I just think your employee is just trying to make himself sound bigger than they are.  

Originally Posted by: A Kurdziel

 Unions(or more accurately Union Appointed Safety reps) have certain rights under the 1977 regulations, which you are probably  aware of: the right to be consulted, the right to sit on the H&S committee, the right investigate accidents and the right to see H&S reports. They can stir things up   when someone is making a claim but once it has gone then there is very little that a union can do. At most they can take part in the lessons learned part of the follow to an investigation.  They can’t shut the place down or take the company to court independently. I just think your employee is just trying to make himself sound bigger than they are.  

I think all that applies only if the union is a recognised union in the particular workplace.  If this employee is the only member of the union in the workplace, it's very unlikely that it's a recognised union.  (Collective bargaining doesn't really make sense in the context of a collective of one person.) 

If it's not a recognised union, I think it's only as relevant as a friend he might have - the friend might have deep pockets and/or technical knowledge to be able to offer advice about how to sue the pants off you, but doesn't have any special powers. 

Where do I start I ask myself.  The FBU is a strong union but they do not always getntheir way, e.g. I was injured at a RTC enroute to a RTC.(yes that's right) and I used the FBU's solicitors.  Although I won my claim my payout was poor because I started a new job 2 months after being retired.  No loss of earnings.

I friend of mine was OIC of a station and one of the fireman began a complaint against him which ended in an official tribunal.  He requested the assistance of the FBU, he was a member, but they refused because they were already representing the fireman.  The complaint was not upheld and the whole watch of firemen were posted out to the four corners of the brigade, my friend remained in his position.  Then when there was an official strike my friend could not go out on strike because he had no union protectionso he stayed manning the pump.  He was asked by the FBU to re-join the FBU and he refused.  He is now a SCAB and there are many who won't speak to him.  He is still my friend though.

When I worked for a bus company as H&S Co-ordinator I arranged risk assessment training with a plan for the workers to undertake risk assessments.  The management, supervisors etc. attended their training in a college, delivered by another friend of mine,there was also a catering school at the college and meals were provided to an excellent standard, table cloths and silver servivice. The trade union members decided they wanted their training by the TUC which I arranged for them.  There was no cost to the employer but no meals for the union members which they moaned about but I did remind them it was their choice.

I set up the H&S Committee meetings at the bus company, 5 bus garages/depots so five different meetings all involving union safety reps amd managers.  I took and issued minutes with named rosponsible people and received great feedback from everyone who agreed the safety committees have neve run as well.  I became a friend to the safety reps and assisted whenever I was asked to, treated averyone the same.

Trade Unions are not enemies of the employer but some employers seem to be angry when the Union Rep seeks a meeting about a H&S matter.  

According to the safety rep regs it only takes one union member to be recognised, as far as I can remember.

Do you have safety reps among the workforce?  If not perhaps you should think about it.

Trade union membership is not all about wages negotions.,  The Safety Rep Regs. are about health and safety and safety reps do assist the employer in their H&S arrangements.  I have good experience of that.