FAQ 6 |
Why join a union? Can I join any union that I want? There is only one established union in my work area. Do I have to join that one? Why should I choose to join Unite? How much does it cost to join Unite? What is the Police Staff Council and what part to Unite play in it? Is Unite competing with Unison? How do I resign from a union? Can I leave one union and join another? Can my line manager allocate my annual leave? |
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| FAQ 1 |
Q Why Join a union? If you have a problem at work it makes sense to have someone on your side. Unite provides personal support and representation for members on all work related issues. Unite is there to improve your pay and conditions and only a strong union can win a better deal for the workforce and ensure you get a fair deal in all areas of your working life.
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FAQ 2 |
Q Can I join any union that I want? Yes. You have the legal right to join any union of your choice and for that union to represent you in grievance and disciplinary hearings, whether or not the employer recognises that particular trade union. Unite have extended rights granted by Derbyshire Constabulary to also cover change management issues.
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FAQ 3 |
Q There is only one established union in my work area. Do I have to join that one? No, You have the right to join any union that you are eligible to join. There are 3 national police staff unions, Unite, Unison and GMB - all holding seats on the Police Staff Council.
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FAQ 4 |
Q Why should I choose to join unite? Only a union with the massive financial, legal and industrial back-up of Unite can really provide the representation and influence in the workplace that you need. Unite represents workers in both the public and private sector across virtually every area of the economy and industry. Unite is represented on the Police Staff Council which negotiates the national terms and conditions for over 75'000Police Staff.
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FAQ 5 |
Q How much does it cost to join unite? Membership rates are £10.96 per month for full-time staff and £4.98 for part-time staff. Additional cover is available if required. Our rates are fixed so all full time staff will pay only £10.96 per month and part-time staff £4.98. Please see our 'join us' section for further details.
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| FAQ 7 |
Q What is the Police Staff Council and what part do Unite play in it? The Police Staff Council (PSC) negotiates national agreements on pay and conditions of service for 75'000 Police Staff and PCSO's in England and Wales. The PSC consists of 14 members; seven known as the Employers' Side and seven as the Trade Union Side. Unite are represented on the Trade Union side with colleagues from Unison and GMB. Unite is already involved in negotiating your national terms and conditions of employment and is a nationally recognised police staff union.
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| FAQ 8 |
Q In Unite competing with Unison? No, Unite is not in competition with Unison and we are happy to work alongside them locally as we do nationally on the Police Staff Council. We have no problem whatsoever with Unison continuing to recruit and represent their members. Our concern is that the majority of Derbyshire Police Staff are not in Unison and are without the protection that union membership brings. We believe that staff should be able to choose which union they join and that unions should be able to recruit on an equal footing with equal access to communication methods. This is what real choice is all about. We are a presence that cannot be ignored and we will conduct our business in a reasonable but very competent manner. We have a record of dealing with our members issues in a progressive but determined way. Other unions may express opinions on Unite recruiting locally but it is no good simply expecting staff to join a union simply because there is no other choice of union to join. Staff need to be confident in their choice and be able to make that choice. We encourage all Police Staff to make a choice and join a trade union whether it be Unite, Unison, Gmb or any other union that staff are entitled to join. We would rather see all Derbyshire Police Staff in several different unions all working together than a minority of staff being in one, as is the case now. Back to questions
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| FAQ 9 |
Q How do I resign from a union? It's normally a case of emailing or writing to your branch secretary or membership secretary informing them that you wish to resign. You do not need to give any reason. Your subscriptions should cease as soon as practicable. Any benefits will stop once you resign.
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| FAQ 10 |
Q Can I leave one union and join another? Yes. You can resign from one union to join another if you wish. Unions will not normally give assistance for work problems that occurred before you joined. When joining a union you have to declare if you have been a member of another union.
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| Q Can my line manager allocate my annual leave? |
No. Your annual leave cannot be allocated. The question pops up from time-to-time and there is no provision in the Police Staff Handbook for management to allocate your annual leave. The booking of leave is by agreement between the staff member and department. The process of booking leave should be fair and reasonable and staff are encouraged to take their full annual allocation.
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