Trade Union membership is more important now than it has ever been. The recent downturn in work in the Oil & Gas and Manufacturing Sectors have seen mass redundancies on a scale that was only seen during the last recession.
Employees finding themselves in such a situation are better protected than non union members. Union members facing redundancy often benefit from enhanced redundancies payments which have been negotiated by the Union with the employer. Trade Unions have access to specialist Employment Solicitors who can provide advice during the redundancy consultation process and can also represent employees at the Employment Tribunal where employers have acted unlawfully and dismissed an employee unfairly.
In addition to providing protection in a redundancy situation, union membership protects employees if they face discrimination related to sex, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, age and pregnancy and maternity. Trade Unions are instrumental in providing advice and representation for employees who are still in the workplace and facing these issues. Trade Unions also assist employees who have been unfairly dismissed. Trade Union members benefit from having access to specialist Employment Solicitors should they find themselves in any of these situations.
In June 2013 the Government introduced a fee regime in the Employment Tribunal. This meant that anyone who brings a claim in the Employment Tribunal now have to pay up to £1200 to pursue their claim. This can be a massive financial burden for someone who has just lost their job. Trade Union members benefit from legal cover which means that these fees will be paid upfront on their behalf. The terms of legal cover also include Solicitors fees so that union members can pursue a claim in the Employment Tribunal without it costing the member anything. Trade Unions also provide legal cover for personal injury claims.
Trade Unions help workers every day with a variety of problems. This includes accidents at work, pension schemes and protection of employees who are transferring employment. Trade Unions are crucial in defending jobs, terms and conditions of employment, rates of pay and general working conditions. Unionised workplaces are often safer and employees enjoy better pay and conditions than non unionised work places.
Even if you are not in a unionised workplace, the benefits of union membership and the protection it offers to employees is priceless.
Author: Priya Cunningham at Thompsons Solicitors (see website).