Employment Rights for 'self-employed' - Unite Union does its stuff

[Geli]

Thanks BAJR and Kevin.

I've decided to go with Unite. Just signed up online.

[BAJR]

Good man (or woman) your avatar is cunningly done.. ! :face-approve:

I am just glad that you have signed up with a union... ANY union... the target I hope for is over 500 and as Prospect have a few hundred, then this should be achievable... if we are a majority, then it will be hard for "bad employers" to find a way to exploit... where would they find the non-union workforce. even if they don't recognise a union, they will still have to battle a big boy group. I personally feel a bit safer knowing that behind me are 2 million others ... strength in numbers....

[Geli]

I tend to agree. Strength in numbers. Sadly many are deterred by the bad media image of unions - a byproduct of 80's Thatcherism?

[BAJR]

Would you consider helping in promoting unionisation... I ask, because of the need for local reps to help (more on this later when I get the minutes of the Nottingham meeting sorted)

[Geli]

Yeah I'd certainly give it a go. Perhaps a PDF flyer could be produced stating some of the benefits of joining a Union with relevant contact details for both Prospect and Unite?

[BAJR]

Indeed this is one of the things in the offing... I am busy writing up minutes... and then those that were at Nottingham (and also those that were unable to make it) will comment of the action points... one of which is dissemination of information.

the basis is...

This is where we are now
this is where we could be
we will still be at point on unless people join.

[BAJR]

David, just wondering since when have Unite had any archaeologists as members?

You will find them in Nottingham for example the Trent and Peak Unit. did lots to help them a few years back to extricate them from university 'issues'

I don't think it is productive to talk about memberships and size etc.. (to be honest they don't have many... but they are the largest union in the UK)

PROSPECT has admitted a drop in membership of 16% and what we are trying to do is reverse the trend across the board. Remember that UNISON also has archaeologists in its ranks. Do you feel it is divisive that UNISON has archaeologists? Nope... its not... what was discussed and is perfectly possible, is a cross union membership of a national representative body, where union membership is collective and a national group is formed that represents all unionised archaeologists... allowing for a united front to talk with and negotiate. There is no need to move unions for the unit, it requires union recognition only... ask PROSPECT... I have still been trying to talk with PROSPECT, as this is not about poaching or outflanking, this is about unionising - my last email is still unanswered - however the UNITE and PROSPECT exec know each other as friends, so they will chat and work things out.. I don't blame anyone for not responding to me, why should they, I am not in PROSPECT.. but it would be good to talk with me, as I want them to be part of this rather than just invited to comment...

PROSPECT does as you say have an image problem jsut now... and I hope they will sort that - I am sure they will. However, I can't really wait around for that to happen... there are people who are doing something right now.. so I am happy to be part of it.. (note part of it... not controlling or leading it) Here is the wake up call... so PROSPECT, UNITE and UNISON will stand together, archaeological staff will be represented and protected.

They also sorted some ground-breaking employment tribunal cases as well..

Believe me, when this does happen (and it is coming) then with the backing of Three Unions... the fear of losing jobs, the fear of being marginalised, the fear of rocking the boat will dissipate... and the company will have one choice... start treating staff with respect OR enjoy a nice industrial tribunal.

I did check, and indeed they have big enough lawyers to find a loop hole, and will then have to be taken down again... Now how many archaeology companies could do that??
I have been gathering my own evidence over the last couple of years ... I don't want to see them fall, just be fair. After all, its their livelihood too.

The Federated Union of Archaeologists will stand for all shades of union membership - now... if you can ask PROSPECT to call me or send me an email... I would be grateful.

Nottingham went well... and all of it will be online soon... after all - there is nothing secret in what happened. :face-approve:

[Geli]

I look forward with interest to the minutes being posted!

[Unitof1]

[INDENT]http://www.jobisjob.co.uk/london/autocle...xgp6imo3le

I hieghlite the date and suggest that maybe you should not hold the law up to ridicukleies

EDIT BY BAJR [Read above post Uo1... IT seems that where there is a lawyer, there is a way of getting round things... a constant battle... my question is how would an archaeology company survive it

Please do not just drop an advert in... well done and congrads mr One ... without any accompanying text to inform what your point is. ]




[/INDENT]

[Tillet]

The fact that Unite has members in archaeology will not make recognition harder. Many industries have historically had multi union membership and recognition agreements that reflect that. There is no need for anyone who is a member of Prospect to change their union if they move to a unit that has a majority of Unite members or vise versa. I am cuirrently a Unite staff rep. and would have no problem representing a member of Prospect or any other union should such an individual be employed by us. The urgent need as I see it is for all of us who want to see a unionised workforce is to work together to bring this about and to develop the structures that enable members to come together and find the most effective ways of addressing the issues that face us as workers in archaeology. Currently my guess would be that there are fare more archaeologists out there that our unions have not reached than there are those who are already members and that has to be our principle concern. As a member of Unite it would not cause me any problems if Prospect were to organise currently non union workers quicker than we do. THe point is that an increase in union membership will benefit all in the industry and the sooner it happens the better! As members we have to ensure that our unions work together for the benefit of all for if we don't hang together then there is nothing so certain than that we will all end up hanging seperately!!!