My own experience of unions showed both sides of the argument. I worked in the Border and Immigration Agency for 12 months before starting my grad career with a major corporate 5 years ago.

During the 12 months in the BIA there were a number of strikes, some of which were very petty regarding things like forcing certain frontline staff to wear a uniform. Some of the union reps relished the chance to take issue at everything and anything, and got a real buzz out of striking and threatening to strike. Many of these reps actually caused resentment amongst other staff who just wanted to get on with an honest days work, as they would spend all day preoccupying themselves with often trivial union business at the expense of doing any real work.

Conversely, it is certainly fair to say that the unions did provide a voice to stand up to some of the government's pension reforms which might otherwise have been enacted unchallenged.

My own view at the time was that the BIA staff I worked with had very generous salary, holiday and pension entitlements, particularly in relation to the fact that we didn't work particularly hard, did not work under any arduous conditions and had very little job stress. As a result, I thought the union's were not particularly relevant - nobody could be exploited for minimum wage in dangerous working conditions, and we were all free to move and get another job somewhere if we didnt like what we were being paid.

In my view unions have a place, particularly amongst large, low-skilled, low paid employers, but there are too many examples of unnecessary union involvement causing more problems than they solve.

Might just be something you've posted on this topic.

[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/oct/17/tradeunions-tuc-gmb-nestle-york-protes-marchGMB and Nestlé – reaching agreements together.[/url

I've seen both the good and bad side of unions. Bad, in terms of representing people who have deliberately chosen not to follow organisation rules but I've also seen others persuade guilty parties to admit their offences too so it's not that straightforward. Similarly, I've seen them defend innocent workers exceptionally well against belligerent managers who have a chip on their shoulder against somebody. I've seen them represent people who've been bullied, exploited, assaulted and harassed (both sexually and racially). Unions perform a very important activity in this society and without them we'd still all be living like it was Wigan Pier.

There's plenty who still wish we were.
Maybe they should read GO's book or be transported back in time to be a guest at Mr & Mrs Brookers lodgings.

Nice tripe, shame about the constant black thumbprint in the bread.

Which is arguably what many lawyers do in some cases.





Completely agree on this, though. Of course unions are not perfect – no organisation or company etc is.