can an individual get instant representation to a union by joining? i have tried on the unite website but it is temporarily unavailable ... i have a gross misconducct case at an ex employer next week and i am so definitely in the right here, the company have really bent the rules and regulations to suggest this was a case of gross misconduct but i am more than happy to thake this to a tribunal ... my degree in business and management, focused at HR functions, leads me to believe this organisation is incorrect in their disciplinaly action and ultimate disciplinary action ... however i need a rep to fight my case ... can i get instant representation if i join a union now?? my hearing is in less than a week!!

Doubtful. Unions usually will not take up a case that is already active before you become a member. To be honest though, you might be as well getting a free consultation with an employment lawyer. You might be able to get no win no fee representation from someone. Why not call the law society. Also your local citizens advice might be able to help and ACAS.

Michie

No, this is not the case. I'm a Unison shop steward and have represented people who have joined because specific circumstances have put their jobs in danger. Get in touch with your Unite branch now and talk to the branch officer. The union is there to protect the workforce and I don't know of any instance where we've turned away someone who needs help. My OH is a Unite steward and says the same as me. Here's a link to Unite's online registration. Join online now and contact your branch office first thing Monday morning. Legal representation through your union is free and they're the experts in this field. Good luck.

http://www.unitetheunion.com/default.aspx

I have heard of unions helping non members when it's about a clear cut redundancy, but not in the OPs circumstances. I hope I am wrong so the OP can get representation. There's nothing to lose in contacting the union, I suppose.

Before you join Unite - are they the recognised union in your workplace?

Where I work we have Unite and Community. I think Unite will accept you as a member with full rights immediately but with Community you have to have been a member for 6 months.

Go to ACAS. I have found (through other people's experiences) that the Unions area waste of time in the majority of small cases. What you need is a lawyer since unions dont so much fight your case for you, but support you. The lawyers fight it for you and ACAS will advise on your position and arbitrate.

Go to ACAS. I have found (through other people's experiences) that the Unions area waste of time in the majority of small cases. What you need is a lawyer since unions dont so much fight your case for you, but support you. The lawyers fight it for you and ACAS will advise on your position and arbitrate.

Sorry indizine, that's absolute nonsense. I'm an accredited trade union rep and can assure you that the unions do fight cases, but not in the way you think. Unison, for instance, has a partnership with Thompson's solicitors, who will take cases like Michie's free of charge. So you get free legal representation as a union member.

So you may be, but I have spoken to A LOT of employees who got NO support from their union rep so it';s definiately not nonsense.

Got one case going on now with a well known UK company and the union rep is ignoring the employee who wants to speak to them abut a problem!

So my argument stands that for small cases, you cannot speak for them all im afraid.

You are right, I have been a member of two unions and find them both a waste of time, look at the BA dispute, any good union would have advised the strikers to settle by now, because the union can keep itself in the headlines it is actively seeking to aggravate the situation.

I was in NUM during the Scargill era, we were pawns in a political game that ended up throwing us all out of work.

Union officials are interested in a select number of jobs, thier own, dont be fooled, use ACAS. So you may be, but I have spoken to A LOT of employees who got NO support from their union rep so it';s definiately not nonsense.

Got one case going on now with a well known UK company and the union rep is ignoring the employee who wants to speak to them abut a problem!

So my argument stands that for small cases, you cannot speak for them all im afraid.

Michie

No, this is not the case. I'm a Unison shop steward and have represented people who have joined because specific circumstances have put their jobs in danger. Get in touch with your Unite branch now and talk to the branch officer. The union is there to protect the workforce and I don't know of any instance where we've turned away someone who needs help. My OH is a Unite steward and says the same as me. Here's a link to Unite's online registration. Join online now and contact your branch office first thing Monday morning. Legal representation through your union is free and they're the experts in this field. Good luck.

http://www.unitetheunion.com/default.aspx

thank you for the link, i will get on to this today. have already spoken to ACAS and a couple of solicitors but the letter regarding the hearing says only another staff member or union rep and be present at this meeting.

thanks everyone for posting, this is a really frustrating situation and i really hope the ex employer will sort this out without having to go to tribunal .... i won't hold my breath tho!!