Recruitment & Organising
What is a Union?
A union is a group of workers who organise to form
a Union.
* To gain greater respect on the job,
* Better wages and benefits,
* More flexibility for work and family needs,
* As a counterbalance to the unchecked power of employers
* A stronger voice in the workplace.
On site representation
As a CWU member you are entitled to help and
support whether your employer recognises a union or not. One of our
experienced branch officials can attend grievance or disciplinary
hearings with you, or if you need advice help is only a call
away.
What does recognition mean?
Recognition is an agreement with the employer which enables the
union to negotiate on your behalf on issues such as pay, terms and
conditions of employment. In short it is collective bargaining
which allows all of the workers voices to have a voice rather than
people standing alone.
How do we go about getting recognition and how do we
join the CWU?
When workers decide to come together to improve their jobs, they
work with a union. The CWU helps support workers to build for Union
recognition. Once a majority of workers shows they want a union,
your employer may agree to honour the workers' choice. Often,
the workers have to apply through a government body called the CAC,
where recognition may be granted or a ballot would take place to
test the desire for recognition. When recognition is secured the
CWU negotiate a contract with the employer that spells out each
party's rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
Does the law protect workers joining the CWU?
Under the law, employers cannot discriminate against or fire
workers for choosing to join a union. For example, it's illegal
for employers to threaten to shut down their businesses, fire
employees, or take away benefits if workers form a union.
What kinds of workers are joining the CWU today?
The CWU specialise in the communications industry,
and an ever wider range of people are joining; call centre workers
working sales or customer services, engineers in networks, switch,
riggers, power & plant workers in the postal industry, mailing
houses, couriers and franchised post offices are joining the CWU.
We currently are campaigning and raising awareness of workers
rights in a number of companies.
How does the CWU help working families today?
The CWU along with other unions, work together to win better wages,
benefits and a voice on the job-and good union jobs mean stronger
communities. Union workers usually earn more than non-union workers
and are more likely to receive other work related benefits than
those without a union. Unions lead the fight today for better lives
for working people, such as through expanded family friendly
policies, improved health & safety protections, and improved
working practices. In times of difficulty they are there to help
and ensure fair play in the workplace.
What has the CWU accomplished for workers?
Unions like the CWU have made life better for all
workers by helping to pass laws ending child labour, establishing
the eight-hour day, protecting workers' health & safety,
helping create the minimum wage, for example. Unions are continuing
the fight today to improve life for all working families in the UK.
The CWU lead the way in the campaign to give Agency workers full
employment rights
What challenges do workers face today when they want to
unionise their workplace?
Today, millions of workers want to join unions.
Workers feel they want more of a say over their future, which they
do not want to leave to chance; outsourcing, off-shoring,
redundancy, are common issues affecting workers in the workplace.
Wise employers also understand that when workers form unions, their
companies also benefit.
How much does it cost?
Obviously, not all members work for companies where the CWU can
negotiate excellent Pay and Conditions of work, so we have a range
of membership fees dependent on the benefits we can offer. For
those who work in companies where we do not have recognition,
£6.35 a month for full time workers (for those who only work
low hours there is a reduced rate of £3.18) entitles you to
personal representation, legal advice & support and a range of
benefits.
To join the CWU, Phone 0800 731 7434 or email joinunion@cwu.org
Application Forms are here: www.cwu.org/application-forms.html
