Unions? Are you in one?

[Playghirl]

There has been a bit of a flurry about unions- the perks of being in a union- cheap training and then opposite view being in a union may make you unemployable. (Yes Iam aware of other perks of union- but tbh, I am just looking at discounts offered for training)

Hubby needs to expand his skills to be moe employable. He has hada wee bit of work operating a telehandler in Sydney, but the general response from companies has been that he needs to get a C2 and EPA to get good work.

Now one union the CFMEU, gives great discounts ,AKA, 90% discount if you a member of union.

We are tight of money so that is obviouly tempting. I phoned up the place who said to my husband they woul have wrk for him if he had these certs. I then talked about the discoun tof the union. Woman on the phone was very tactful but informed that they operate two BIG companies and do NOT employ any union members.


So my question is , those of you in unions, and especailly the CFMEU, has it opened ddoors or closed doors for you?

Cheers

[Perthbum]

I am in UCATT, without unions we would have been working 60 hours a week on £3 an hour, can you just imagine how the fat cat business bosses would treat us, unions have been the saviour of the working man and without them we would be a far poorer society.

[Playghirl]

Thanks PB, your thoughts are welcome.

[Que Sera, Sera]

Hi I worked for the Transport & General Workers Union, now Unite for 19 years, it was always thought that if you worked for a union you would never get another Job, and I did so that was one theory blown out. Also in the UK it is illegal to not employ someone on the basis that they are a union member, Now I dont know the law in Australia, but I would think a read on Fairwork Australias website would be worth it. Good luck.

[Playghirl]

Thanks, QSS.

[devon67]

just cancelled my union membership, haha, as moving to oz..yeehaaa, but i will join which ever union when i arrive

[Petals]

My oh was in a Union all his working life. Paid the fees. Of course there are unions who are a bit beyond the pail and cause problems unnecessarily but for the most part they are good for workers. What really galls I believe is that people get on the coat tails of the unions who have worked for better conditions and pay, without paying their dues.

For young workers and anyone who is a little timid they work very well. A lot of people in small business find it very difficult to deal with the boss.

Of courser the lib gov wants no unions and when people are doing well they think they are ok why pay, well think on, things are going backwards at the minute and hours of work are being extended rather than reduced, conditions are disappearing. This will continue unless there is collective voice.

[Perthbum]

My oh was in a Union all his working life. Paid the fees. Of course there are unions who are a bit beyond the pail and cause problems unnecessarily but for the most part they are good for workers. What really galls I believe is that people get on the coat tails of the unions who have worked for better conditions and pay, without paying their dues.

For young workers and anyone who is a little timid they work very well. A lot of people in small business find it very difficult to deal with the boss.

Of courser the lib gov wants no unions and when people are doing well they think they are ok why pay, well think on, things are going backwards at the minute and hours of work are being extended rather than reduced, conditions are disappearing. This will continue unless there is collective voice.

Fat bosses are already cutting overtime rates and want you to work weekends at nirmal rates which is a frigging disgrace, th unions r b
getting weaker which is sad for the working man , this shitte goverment wants us to work till we drop saving on pensions...roll on the next election when we can get rid of these bastards.