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 Home Get Active Successful Organising
Recruit a friend16 June 2006Play your part in helping to build the union. Think of a number and double it – well that’s exactly what would happen to Usdaw’s membership if every union member recruited just one colleague each. The union would jump from its current 340,000 to 680,000 in a matter of weeks. Imagine what that would do to Usdaw’s standing with employers, across industry and with the Government. It would give us a bigger and stronger voice across the UK and would mean more people would sit up and take notice when Usdaw speaks up on behalf of its members. Strength in numbers will undoubtedly give us more power and influence. Increased membership also brings with it a renewed sense of optimism among the workforce. It reinforces people’s beliefs that we are all working together to deliver improved terms and conditions at work. That includes everything from pay, holidays and flexible working to maternity rights, safer working practices and pension provision. There’s a whole lot more too and you can read about the many benefits union membership will deliver:
10 good reasons to join Usdaw
Contribution rates and cash benefitsUsdaw really cares about you and your family and provides a range of cash benefits for times of need. If you are ill, have an accident – or if the worst were to happen and you die – Usdaw’s cash benefits will help ease financial worries for you and your family.
What does it cost?Usdaw’s membership rate is one of the lowest in the trade union movement providing a first class range of benefits and professional services for just a few pence a day.See join rates for more information. Benefits are payable in accordance with the union rule book and any entitlement depends on paying your contributions regularly and not falling into arrears. Benefits can only be claimed (except dispute and victimisation benefit) after 12 months’ continuous membership. For more information see our members cash benefits section.
Usdaw free legal servicesThe union gives you real value for money – providing a legal service which is completely FREE. If you have a legal problem you have enough worries without having to find the money to pay for legal advice and representation.Usdaw has its own Legal department with qualified professionals working for you, backed up by a nationwide network of solicitors. With private solicitors charging around £100 per hour for their services you simply can’t afford to be without the union. Usdaw is your best insurance policy at work – over the years we have won tens of millions of pounds in compensation for our members. Here are a few good reasons for turning to our legal service: • A FREE legal service from the day you join Usdaw. • If you win, you keep all your compensation. Neither Usdaw or our solicitors take a cut of your damages. • No hidden payments in accident cases. So called No Win, No Fee cases can involve charges for insurance premiums or experts fees. • Advice from lawyers committed to the trade union movement and who specialise in work-related accident and disease cases. • Representation by skilled officials at tribunals. • The union’s legal service works for our members and not for profit – it puts people first.
Extra legal services for you and your immediate familyLegal Plus – offers you and your family a comprehensive legal service.
For you, the member:• Legal assistance for any accident in the UK, any time, any place. • Legal assistance in all employment matters. • FREE will-writing service for you and for your partner. • Conveyancing – special terms for Usdaw members and partners. • Probate – special terms for Usdaw members and partners. • FREE interview scheme – see an Usdaw solicitor on any matter not related to work with special terms for follow-up work.
For those living with you in your family:• Full legal assistance for road traffic accidents. • FREE solicitor interview scheme for any other accident and special follow-up terms. • FREE solicitor interview scheme for any legal matter and special follow-up terms. • FREE will-writing service for partners. • Conveyancing and probate – families benefit from member’s special terms. Our existing members have a massive role to play. In 2004 our reps and officials recruited nearly 84,000 new members but because Usdaw operates in sectors where staff turnover is high we also lost approximately 75,000 members. You will be doing your friend or colleague a big favour by encouraging him or her to join Usdaw. Our research tells us that most workers who are not in the union have not joined simply because they have not been asked. When we speak face to face with non members and explain briefly what Usdaw is all about – the take up rate is very high. Please use this briefing to get our message across and you can play an essential part in making Usdaw the fastest growing union in the UK.
Why we joined the unionI joined Usdaw 15 years ago when I started work for my current employer. The union helped me sort out a problem and I’ve been a member ever since. I’ve just been to the black members weekend for the second successive year and had an excellent time. Union get-togethers like this really develop your self-confidence. You also learn a lot from your other colleagues.Chhaya Patel
I wouldn't be without my union membership. In the same way I wouldn't be without my house insurance. Usdaw is my insurance policy at work, giving me security and peace of mind. When people ask me why they should join, I simply point to the excellent Legal Plus package available to members and their families. This alone is worth the membership fee.
I think union membership offers real value for money. You receive a free legal service, health and safety advice, information on pensions, and education and training courses are also available. Being a union member also gives you a say in what goes on in your workplace. The more members we have the more influence we can have in the workplace. We all want to improve the pay and terms and conditions of our working lives and the best way to go about that is to join the union and get involved.
I've had spells working in non-unionised workplaces and I can tell you it's a nightmare. You have to fight for everything to make just a little progress or maybe even none at all. You're definitely better off in the union, there is always someone to listen and offer advice, you are never on your own. It's difficult to change things on your own, but not when you have the union behind you.
I wanted more information and to get involved. There is a lot of comfort in knowing I have the support of a large organisation behind me.
There are many reasons why I joined Usdaw 20 years ago when I first started work. First and foremost I wanted to be protected against any possible discrimination. The union is a vital source of information for workers whether that’s on issues like maternity rights, sick leave, or using our legal service. We all need the union at least once during our working life so membership is vital.
Being a union member gives you a voice and the more members you have in your workplace the bigger and stronger that voice. Being a union member opens up a whole new network of communication offering help and support whenever you need it. I'd recommend it to everyone.
Reasons why people join Usdaw• Help and support with problems at work• Protection from unfair treatment • Representation for grievance and disciplinaries • Health and safety advice • Pensions advice • Improved job security • Representation over contract changes • Protection from bullying and harassment • Protection from sex or race discrimination • Training, education and Lifelong Learning • Feeling you’re not on your own Sign up new members and you will not only be providing your friends and colleagues with the support of a professional organisation which will deliver expertise and advice on a whole range of employment issues, you could also win one of many fantastic prizes on offer in the union’s national recruitment prize draw. It could be a car, a luxury holiday or hundreds of pounds worth of shopping vouchers. You don’t have to buy a ticket for the draw all you have to do is sign up five new members for your automatic entry. Sign up ten members and you’ll be rewarded with two entries, fifteen gets you three entries and so on. You can obtain application forms from your Usdaw rep or contact your local Usdaw office to send you a supply. Signing up new members has never been this exciting! Contact Details Media and Communications Department Ph: 0161 224 2804 Fax: 0161 248 8588 communications@usdaw.org.uk http://www.usdaw.org.uk/getactive/successful_organising/  Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
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