WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB

SECTION 2.8
I’ve worked here for years without belonging to the union,why should I join now?
GMB can negotiate better terms and conditions the more members it has.Finding solutions to on-thejob
problems often depends as much on the amount of unity the membership shows,you may wish to
say something like: “If everyone working here joined GMB a better deal could be won for all.By not
joining you weaken the GMB’s negotiating strength and everyone loses out.”
I’m too young to join a union,they are for older people.
Young people need to join unions more than anyone else.They have less experience of work and so are
less likely to know their rights and more likely to be exploited.They are discriminated against in their
pay and benefits.
The part time rate applies to everyone below the age of 18.
GMB has a special Young Members’organisation at regional and national level which campaigns on
issues that affect or concern young people,such as the national minimum wage.
If I join I think I will be sacked.
The law protects anyone from any kind of attack or harassment from their employer for joining or even
thinking about joining a union,for example going along to a meeting(section 152 of the 1992 TULRC
Act*).However people still fear their employer’s response and many are happier joining by Direct Debit
until a large number of their colleagues are in the union and they achieve safety in numbers.
*Trade Union and Labour Relations Consolidation Act 1992.Refer to your GMB Law at work book or your
GMB Officer for further details.