WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB

More documents

Recommendations

Info

SECTION 2.8 HANDLING OBJECTIONS One of the reasons recruitment can be difficult nowadays is because in many modern workplaces people have little or no knowledge or experience of trade unions.What people see on TV and read in the papers often forms their views.Since unions tend to make the news only when there is a dispute,many people believe that this is what they are all about. Some of them may have prejudices or preconceptions about trade unions,it is best to be prepared to handle these objections before they arise.Here are some of the questions you might be asked and some ideas on how to answer them: Why should I join GMB? Most people join GMB in case a problem arises at work.At some point in their working life most workers will have a problem at work they can’t sort out on their own.Being in GMB means making sure you get help from people working around you when you need it,plus expert legal backing if necessary. You should also mention the work GMB is currently doing where you work on the problems people face with the employer: health and safety,pay,bullying and other issues. What has GMB ever done for us? Be prepared for this question and mention successes in your workplace.Health and Safety,support for people in grievances or disciplinary meetings(remember to keep personal details confidential)legal action,improvements in pay,holidays etc. It is also important to spell out what GMB stands for and is campaigning for now and to invite them to join on the basis of supporting that campaign. Why should I join if I’ll get the same pay anyway? It is important to stress that,although they might get the same pay and conditions that GMB negotiate it is a matter for the employer and can’t be guaranteed by GMB.However non-members will miss out on being able to have a say in how GMB negotiate for them.They won’t get a chance to speak out or vote on any deals being negotiated.If they have any problems at work they are on their own.They can’t call on the GMB Workplace Organiser or GMB officer to advise and support them. Non-members also miss out on legal benefits and services,like help from union solicitors. Every non-member in a workplace dilutes the strength of GMB’s voice when negotiating with management. If I join will I have to go on strike? Not unless you and your colleagues vote for it,reassure new recruits that strikes are very rare.A good tactic sometimes is to ask them to tell you the last time they remember a strike taking place where they work.GMB Workplace Organisers and GMB Officers work to settle disputes and prevent the situation developing into one where people feel they have to vote for strike action.In GMB we normally only have strikes when a two-thirds majority has voted for them in a secret postal ballot. GMB sees strike action as a last resort and it is only very rarely that our members take this step. However,in negotiation with employers you sometimes need to have an ultimate bargaining tool to get them to listen. The key point is to tell the worker that it is the members who tell GMB to go on strike and not the other way around.
SECTION 2.8 I can’t afford to join. Are you sure you can afford not to join,given the protection and benefits that GMB membership provides? Explain GMB subscriptions and what they provide and that GMB members at GMB’s annual Congress democratically determine them.Explain that GMB subs fund our campaigning,legal and organising work and that all GMB organised workplaces can use these resources to help their campaigns.Point out that most people insure their house and their car and so should also make sure they insure their job. We get on OK with management here,so we don’t need a union. Don’t disagree,but point out that management is made up of individuals who can be moved or leave and get replaced by less sympathetic persons.Today companies often get taken over by larger organisations,which have different approaches and attitudes to staff.There is no perfect workplace where problems never arise and where no one ever feels unfairly treated.Often companies set up inhouse associations but they are rarely fully consulted or informed and do not have the independent voice that a union offers.Also,TUC surveys show that employers who recognise trade unions have better pay and conditions than those who don’t. I can look after myself,so why should I join GMB? Many non-union members say they could represent themselves at work.But think about it.If you are on your own,can you really: • Face management and risk being victimised later. • Get the support of your colleagues. • Understand disciplinary procedures and codes of practice. • Pay to take your employer to court if you have an accident or are unfairly treated? If you join GMB you will have the backing of a strong,experienced organisation to advise,assist and meet the legal costs. GMB will not guarantee to help you with problems that arose before you joined. I only work part-time,so what’s the benefit for me? GMB has a substantial and growing part-time membership.We represent over 150,000 part-time workers.They are entitled to a full range of GMB benefits. This is just some of the things we have done at GMB for our part-time members: • Campaigned and won on equal treatment,pay and pension rights. • Provided advice and legal cover. • Fought for term time only workers’rights in schools. For people with more than one job,GMB membership will cover each job they do.For people with only one job,lower union subscriptions may apply. Unions are for men,what can they do for women? Women play an important role in GMB.Almost half of GMB members are women and women formed two thirds of new members joining in 2006.Nearly 40 per cent of the members of GMB’s Central Executive Council are women and over 25 per cent of GMB’s Regional Officials are women.We also have Equal Rights Committees in each of our nine Regions.GMB has been at the forefront of the fight for equality in the workplace for many years and has won a number of equal pay cases.
Page 1 and 2: GMB WORKPLACE ORGANISERS TOOLKIT
Page 3 and 4: Acknowledgements: This toolkit has
Page 6 and 7: CONTENTS 1. Your role 1.1 Training
Page 8 and 9: WORKPLACE ORGANISERS TOOLKIT SECTIO
Page 10 and 11: SECTION 1.1 The course ends with GM
Page 12 and 13: SECTION 1.2 WHAT DOES A GMB WORKPLA
Page 16 and 17: SECTION 1.3 Non-recognised companie
Page 18 and 19: SECTION 2.1 ORGANISING YOUR WORKPLA
Page 22 and 23: SECTION 2.2
Page 24 and 25: SECTION 2.3 KEEPING MEMBERS UP TO D
Page 26 and 27: GMB@ PUTYOUREMPLOYER’S NAMEHERE P
Page 30 and 31: SECTION 2.4 USING YOUR WORKPLACE MA
Page 32 and 33: SECTION 2.4 WORKPLACE ADDRESS Depar
Page 34 and 35: SECTION 2.5 CONTACTING NEW STARTERS
Page 38 and 39: SECTION 2.6 MEMBERSHIP TRANSFER NOT
Page 40 and 41: SECTION 2.7 CAMPAIGNING We are best
Page 46 and 47: SECTION 2.8 I’ve worked here for
Page 48 and 49: SECTION 2.9 GETTING HELP:BUILDING Y
Page 54 and 55: SECTION 3.1 REPRESENTING YOUR MEMBE
Page 56 and 57: SECTION 3.1 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING G
Page 62 and 63: SECTION 4.1 REPRESENTING INDIVIDUAL
Page 66 and 67: SECTION 4.2 GMB RECOGNISED WORKPLAC
Page 68 and 69: SECTION 4.3 DEALING WITH MEMBER’S
Page 70 and 71: SECTION 4.3 Keep careful notes You
Page 72 and 73: SECTION 4.3 REQUESTING A POSTPONEME
Page 76 and 77: SECTION 4.4 AT THE HEARING: State y
Page 80 and 81: SECTION 4.5 APPEALS You should also
Page 82 and 83: SECTION 4.5 REQUEST FOR APPEAL HEAR
Page 86 and 87: SECTION 5 GROUP FIVE: DISCIPLINE AN
Page 88 and 89: SECTION 5 LIST OF STATUTORY AMOUNTS
Page 90 and 91: SECTION 5.2 2. What are the maximum
Page 92 and 93: SECTION 5.3 Exemptions Drivers of v
Page 94 and 95:
SECTION 5.5 5. Am I entitled to hav
Page 96 and 97:
SECTION 5.7 7. Can my employer char
Page 98 and 99:
SECTION 5.9 9. What is a risk asses
Page 100 and 101:
SECTION 5.11 11. Can my employer ch
Page 102 and 103:
SECTION 5.13 13. Am I entitled to a
Page 104 and 105:
SECTION 5.15 15. Is everyone entitl
Page 106 and 107:
SECTION 5.16 16. Am I entitled to b
Page 108 and 109:
SECTION 5.18 GROUP THREE MATERNITY&
Page 110 and 111:
SECTION 5.19 19. Can I get maternit
Page 112 and 113:
SECTION 5.20 20. Am I protected fro
Page 114 and 115:
SECTION 5.21 If you want to change
Page 116 and 117:
SECTION 5.22 Your employer is oblig
Page 118 and 119:
SECTION 5.24 24. What rights do I h
Page 120 and 121:
SECTION 5.25 25. Can I take paid ad
Page 122 and 123:
SECTION 5.26 While on paternity lea
Page 124 and 125:
SECTION 5.27 You may be entitled to
Page 126 and 127:
SECTION 5.28 • You are entitled t
Page 128 and 129:
SECTION 5.30 30. How much sick pay
Page 130 and 131:
SECTION 5.31 If your companion is n
Page 132 and 133:
SECTION 5.32 Even if your employer
Page 134 and 135:
SECTION 5.34 34. How much notice mu
Page 136 and 137:
SECTION 5.35 If you are dismissed b
Page 138 and 139:
SECTION 5.37 37. How much notice do
Page 140 and 141:
SECTION 5.39 39. Who pays my redund
Page 142 and 143:
SECTION 5.40 AGE (years) SERVICE (y
Page 144 and 145:
SECTION 5.41 GROUP SEVEN UNION RIGH
Page 146 and 147:
SECTION 5.43 43. Do workplace organ
Page 148 and 149:
SECTION 5.44
Page 150 and 151:
SECTION 6 ABOUT GMB Although it is
Page 152 and 153:
WORKPLACE ORGANISERS TOOLKIT SECTIO
Page 154 and 155:
SECTION 7.1
Page 156 and 157:
SECTION 7.2 HEALTH AND SAFETY LAW-T
Page 158 and 159:
Page 160 and 161:
SECTION 7.3 action to resolve them.
Page 162 and 163:
SECTION 7.3 no action urgent commen
Page 164 and 165:
Page 166 and 167:
Page 168 and 169:
SECTION 7.3 The questions on the pr
Page 170 and 171:
SECTION 7.3
Page 172 and 173:
SECTION 8 PENSIONS INFORMATION Pens
Page 174 and 175:
SECTION 8 Carer’s Allowance-If yo
Page 176 and 177:
SECTION 8 GOOD CONSULTATION PRACTIC
Page 178 and 179:
Page 180 and 181:
Page 182 and 183:
Page 184 and 185:
Page 186 and 187:
EQUALITY THROUGH INCLUSION SECTION
Page 188 and 189:
Page 190 and 191:
SECTION 17.2 Deaf and deaf “deaf
Page 192 and 193:
SECTION 17.2 EQIA Section 75 of the
Page 194 and 195:
SECTION 17.2 Harassment Unwanted be
Page 196 and 197:
SECTION 17.2 Positive Action Action
Page 198 and 199:
SECTION 17.2 Transsexual(or trans)p
Page 200 and 201:
SECTION 17.3 EQUALITY LEGISLATION:A
show all

WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?