You cannot insure your car after a car accident

 

Many thanks to our UNISON Northamptonshire Police and Fire branch for this advice. One of the hardest things I have to do as a Union rep is to refuse representation for those who only join when they have an existing problem. 

If you work for any form of public services - https://join.unison.org.uk/. 

If you don't -  check out who https://www.tuc.org.uk/joinunion

Merry Christmas.🎄 The best gift you can give to your past, present and future self is to join a union!

 hat tip North West UNISON https://twitter.com/NorthWestUNISON/status/1474363981649358853

https://tuc.org.uk/joinunion #joinunison

@unisontheunion

Billy Bragg Responds To Viral Country Singer

"If you don't like the rich men having total control...Join a union.." Well said Billy. 

Why join UNISON

 

(hat tip our number one recruiter Joseph and his standard email to potential members)

"Hi Fellow Worker

Further to our discussion, you can join UNISON online via the link below:

https://join.unison.org.uk/

Signing up is very straight forward.

Once you’re a member feel free to seek any work related advice you may need from me or John Gray who is the Clarion UNISON Convenor. I have copied him in for reference.

Please note you will not be able to get any legal representation (cases requiring referral to the Trade Union branch or being lodged at Employment Tribunal) regarding any work related issues that occurred prior to you being a member.

It is after being a member for four weeks and any work related issues arising after this period, that you would be able to get legal representation.

During the four weeks you can only get email and telephone advice about work related issues.

 

7 reasons to join UNISON

 Each of our 1.4 million members has their own reasons for joining UNISON.

 But every one receives our help and support.

Legal Help – For you at work and your family at home

2.    Financial Assistance – And debt advice in times of need

3.    Compensation – For you and your family

4.    Discounts – Including money off cars and holidays

5.    Helpline –  Our helpline is open until midnight weekdays, and 4pm on Saturdays, closed on Sundays

6.    Training – To help develop your career

7.    Support – We’ll be with you when you need it most

"On Halloween Remember Nothing is as SCARY as NOT BEING IN A UNION!

 
Hat tip Jonathan Dunning via Adrian Kennett. One of the worse things about being a trade union rep is that non members will contact you about serious issues and ask for representation. In the same way that you cannot get car insurance, after you have crashed your car, this can't happen. You have to say no. Unions would go bust if workers only joined when they had a problem. 

While locally in my employer, Reps have agreed to allow someone to join with a pre-existing issue and get limited verbal advice (if they had not previously been asked and refused to join).  They will not get physical representation at discipline, sickness, grievance or redundancy meetings nor access to full time officials or our union solicitors. 

Ironically, it tends to be people, who when I asked why they had not joined previously, say that they didn't because they really trusted the employer so much and never thought they would be treated in such a way. 

As a trade union rep for over 30 years, I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that it can be amongst the most frightening and stressful experiences of your life, to try and deal with a serious employment issue by yourself. 

So if you work in any organisation that provides public services (NHS, Local Government, Police or Justice staff, Utilities, FE/HE, voluntary, charities, housing associations, 3rd sector or private employers who provide public services) then join via https://joining.unison.org.uk/join-unison-today/

If you work for another employer, check out this TUC website "Union finder" to see who you should join https://www.tuc.org.uk/join-a-union

Why join a union?

"Everyone deserves fairness, equality and justice at work. That's what trade unions stand for. When you join a union, you join a movement that's 6 million strong.

Working people are stronger when they act together. And together, we can make the working world a better place for everyone".

Why you should all join an Union

hat tip @Far_Right_Watch

UNISON care workers receive compensation after violent incident at work

Most people join a union for personal advice and support at work or the benefits of having collective bargaining over your terms and conditions. 

Free legal advice and representation by trusted and expert union lawyers is also something to bear in mind.

My branch (Greater London UNISON Housing Associations) recently put out this press release. Note the absolute importance of carrying out adequate risk assessments.

"Three UNISON members working in a care home have received compensation totalling £60,000 after a violent incident at work in which they were attacked by a service user.

The three UNISON members work as night workers in a care home in South London. In March 2014 they were attacked at work by a service user and had to lock themselves in the staff toilets while police were called. There had been several previous incidents with the service user; despite this, their employer had not carried out an adequate risk assessment.

The three night workers suffered physical and psychological injuries and all three lodged personal injury claims with Thompsons solicitors. They were supported by their UNISON branch in their return to work and Thompsons negotiated compensation for their personal injuries amounting to £60,000 in total.

“These kinds of incidents will only grow more frequent as cuts to social care budgets increase the pressure on service providers,” said UNISON Housing Associations branch manager/organiser Josephine Grahl. “Care and support staff are doing a very difficult job in underfunded, overstretched services; however, we’re glad that UNISON were able to support these members to return to work and to get the compensation they deserved.”

Linda, one of the members, said: “It took me a long time to recover from a really shocking and upsetting incident; I’m really happy that my union were able to support me throughout this time and to get me compensation for the injuries I suffered.”

Notes for editors

· UNISON represents 1.3 million workers employed in the public sector, by private contractors and in the not-for-profit sector, including over 20,000 members in housing associations. The UNISON Housing Associations Branch represents over 3,000 workers in social and supported housing across Greater London.

A Christmas Carol by the High Court

Scene:
Any solicitor’s office in the country (except the Strand).
Solicitor:
So, Ms Peasant you have been sacked because you are pregnant and you have come in for a free interview.  Typical of your sort if I may say so.
Client: 
It’s so unfair.  I want to bring a claim.  You do no win no fee don’t you?
Solicitor: 
WE do. The State doesn’t.  Tribunal fees are £1,200.00 win or lose.
Client: 
I haven’t got that sort of money!  I am unemployed.  I’ve been sacked.
Solicitor: 
Come, come now.  I am an employment lawyer.  I know the minimum wage is £6.50 an hour.  Easy to remember; it is one hundredth of what I charge – 200 hours work and you have the fee, unless we need to appeal.  Cut out the foreign holidays. Sack the nanny – she won’t be able to afford the fee to sue you.  My little joke!
Client:  
My Mum looks after the children.  We only just got by when I was working.
Solicitor: 
There I can help you.  You need to prioritise your spending.  The High Court has said so.  Eat your existing children – Swift said that and he was a clever man, but you peasants don’t read you just watch Sky.
Client: 
We don’t have Sky.  Murdoch is nearly as right wing as the High Court.
Solicitor: 
Go down the library and read Swift.
Client: 
They’ve closed the library.
Solicitor:  
Have an abortion.  Save you money and I might be able to get your job back.
Client: 
I don’t want an abortion.  Anyway they’ve closed the clinic.
Solicitor:
Find a rich man.
Client: 
I am married.  My husband was sacked for complaining about my treatment at work.
Solicitor: 
Oh then he has a claim as well then.  Another £1,200.00 mind.
Client:  
I’ve had enough!
Solicitor: 
I advise on the law; I don’t make it.  I want to read to you what the High Court said:
“The question many potential claimants have to ask themselves is how to prioritise their spending; what priority should they give to paying fees in a possible legal claim as against many competing and pressing demands on their finances?”
It goes on a bit but basically do you want to bring a claim or eat and feed and clothe your children?
Client: 
But no-one should have to make that choice in Britain in 2014.
Solicitor:  
That’s where you are wrong.  The court said:
“The question is not whether it is difficult for someone to be able to pay – there must be many claimants in that position – it is whether it is virtually impossible and excessively difficult for them to do so”.
Client:  
That’s wicked.
Solicitor: 
That’s the High Court. Lord Justice Elias is paid £198,674.00 and Mr Justice Foskett £174,481.00 so they know all about having to count the pennies.
Client:
Surely Labour will change all this.
Solicitor: 
Nope.
Client:  
I think I will vote for the Fascists then.
Solicitor:
They tried that in Germany. Didn’t do them much good. Nice rallies mind.
Client leaves.  Solicitor hums the Horst Wessel.  There is a muffled explosion.  The local court is in ruins.

Hat tip Daniel Barnett and Kerry Underwood

(My lesson number one - if you are in work and want justice at work, join a Union  http://www.tuc.org.uk/about-tuc/union-finder)