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Want to Join
Us?
An invitation to join the Communication Workers Union (CWU) - a
modern trade union working for you. At the CWU we offer
communication workers and their families help and support in a
whole lot of different ways both at and away from work …
We're Working for you
The CWU is a modern forward thinking union working for you.
We are geared for the twenty-first century, but we have all
the background knowledge and experience you would expect
from a union that has represented workers in communications
since the middle of the nineteenth century.
Representation Close at Hand
We have a network of trained local officials providing
professional representation throughout the communication
industry. So you'll never be far away from someone who can offer
speedy advice and assistance.
If more detailed help is required - no problem. The CWU has a
field force of specialist officers ready to help.
In short - we're there to provide help when and where you need
it.
Support
and advice
You could be fortunate and may never need some of our services -
but everyone needs a helping hand now and again. For that reason
we provide advice and representation for our members at
grievance and disciplinary interviews. We also have an excellent
record in successfully representing members at Employment
Tribunals.
As a CWU member, these valuable services are free to you.
Why should
I join a Trade Union?
If you have any problem at
work it makes sense to have someone on your side. A Trade Union
provides support and representation for members on all work related
issues. A union is there to improve your pay and conditions and
only a strong trade union can win a better deal for the workforce
and ensure you get a fair deal in all areas of your working life.
I am already a member of another
union, why would I need to change to the CWU?
All CWU reps are experienced within the industry in which they work
and are familiar with the procedures and agreements that are in
place. Furthermore CWU reps are within the workplace and easily
contactable. Is the rep from your current Union going to want to
attend your workplace during the hours that you are working, and are
they going to be familiar with the processes and agreements in place
there?
Campaigning for your future
The CWU is a first-class effective campaigning organisation. We
have a proven track record of running professional and
successful campaigns on a whole range of issues, including many
parliamentary campaigns.
We have recently conducted high level campaigns on employment
rights, equality issues, health and safety at work and
regulation within the communication industry. We continue to
look to the future and are leading the way in the campaign to
raise standards in Call Centres where the CWU now has over
30,000 members.
We are and want to remain a union for the future - a union for
your future.
Can I join
the CWU if my employer doesn’t recognise Unions?
Yes! You have the legal
right to join the Trade Union of your choice and thanks to a
new law your union can represent you in grievance and disciplinary
hearings, and give help and support whether or not the employer
recognises that particular trade union.
The same law gives workers the right to have
their pay, hours and holidays negotiated for them by their union if
the majority of workers are members of the union, or if a majority
vote in a secret ballot for the union to negotiate on their behalf.
This is called union recognition
Join your
colleagues
The CWU is the biggest union within the communication industry and
we are one of the biggest trade unions in the UK, with a membership
of 300,000. Size may not be everything, but it does ensure that we
have enormous influence and are well respected.
Democratic and accountable.
Your membership entitles you to vote for the people who will
represent you. This is because we are a democratic organisation
which listens to our members views and is run by our members.
Will I have to go on
strike If I join the CWU?
Strikes are the exception, not the rule.
More importantly, a decision to go on strike is one that only you
and your co-workers can make for yourselves through a democratic
vote. If members don't want to strike, there won't be one-it's the
members' decision to make by a majority vote.
Keeping
in touch.
Obviously, as a major force in the communications industry, the CWU
is keen to keep in regular touch with all its members. Every CWU
member receives a copy of the highly successful union newspaper the
CWU Voice delivered to their home
How much
will it cost to join?
CWU Subscription
Rates
|
|
Weekly Contributions |
|
Full Time |
£3.01 |
|
Part Time
(up to 10 hours) |
£0.83 |
|
Part Time
(10 - 15 hours) |
£1.27 |
|
Part Time
(15 - 20 hours) |
£1.56 |
|
Part Time
(20 - 25 hours) |
£1.85 |
|
Part Time
(25 - 30 hours) |
£2.14 |
|
Retired
Members |
£1.07 |
20 Reasons to join the CWU
1.
Staff working in Unionised workplaces get paid more (TUC figures
show this can be by around 17%)
2.
Health & Safety at Unionised workplaces is better (there are 50%
less accidents)
3
Redundancies happen less in Unionised workplaces; payoffs are
negotiated and usually higher than when there is no union.
4.
CWU members are covered by 24 hour accident insurance
5.
CWU members can be accompanied by their union representatives to
grievance meetings
6.
CWU members can be accompanied by their union representatives to
disciplinary and Attendance meetings.
7.
CWU members have access to union training and a variety of courses
at Union learning centre’s (from computer courses to languages and
vocational courses)
8.
CWU member’s next of kin receive funeral benefit should the worst
happen.
9.
CWU members win millions of pounds a year in compensation claims
backed by our legal team
10
CWU members have access to advice, support and legal back up on work
related issues
11. CWU members can access legal advice on non work related issues
12. The CWU campaigns nationally amongst employers, politicians and
industry groups to improve working rights and legislation
13. All CWU members have a voice in our democratic union and all can
get involved in their branch and stand for union elections.
14. The CWU has thousands of trained reps who ensure that employers
keep to the law at work and stick to agreements made with the
company.
15. The CWU fights for the rights of all workers and is opposed to
all forms of discrimination in and out of work
16. CWU members get discounts on a range of financial services
including cheap health insurance through the Communication Workers
Friendly Society
17. Many CWU branches offer a discounted Will making service for
members.
18. CWU members are covered by our motor breakdown cover scheme.
19. The CWU backs equal treatment for part time and temporary
workers
20. Joining
the CWU lets you join forces with hundreds of thousands of other
workers and be able to speak with a stronger voice for a better
working.
What's the
Union ever done for me?
(Or - Things
that Royal Mail give us 'cause they're really nice!)
1 Paid Breaks
2 Assigned
Allowances
3 Union
Learning Centres
4 Pay and
Redundancy Protection
5 Annual Pay
Increases
6 Up To Six
Weeks Annual Leave
7 Not Having
To Go To Swindon To Work
8 5 Day Weeks
And Rotational Weeks Off
9 Favourable
Rehabilitation Procedures
10 High
Standard Workplace Health And Safety
Still not
sure?
Take a look at
some of the other
benefits
of being a member
Where can I get more information?
Please contact:
Jon Ellis
Recruitment Officer,
The Gatehouse,
Gloucester Mail Centre,
Eastern Avenue,
Gloucester
GL4 3AA
mobile - 07885 552954 |
