You Won't Get Me...

[purpletigron]

Anyone know what would be the appropriate UK union for a part-time assistant manager in a charity shop to join?

I'm going to need backup on this job...

(FYI, history and chords and lyrics)

Comments

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

There is (or was) a specific shopworkers union...

And a little googling proves that my memory of something called USDAW is right...

Try here:

http://www.usdaw.org.uk/cms/cms/pages/frontpage_v3.cfm

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Many thanks for that - I've had very little Web time this week. That certainly looks right, so I've contacted their local office for more information. No one at work has mentioned a union, despite the fact that we're dealing with significant health and safety issues at the moment. I don't think that many shop workers join a union - although militant unions have a bad name, I think that it is imperative that employees have a strong network to look after their own interests, as employers will generally have different priorities no matter how benevolent they might be...

[therealjae.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear. Dare I ask how things are affecting you personally?

-J

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Of course! I didn't mean to worry anyone.

I'm being cautious, really. As (part-time, temporary) assistant manager in the shop, when I am covering for my shop manager, I am the health and safety officer. The health and safety advice which I have been getting from my area manager has made me realise that I need another source of information which is independent of my employer. There are significant potential H&S issues at work with which we are currently dealing, and if we don't do a good job, then I could certainly be directly affected down the line. So, I'm trying to apply the Six P's Principle :-)