FAQs
Q: I didn’t know I could join a union at HP
A: You have a legal right to join a union, whether you’re
employed by HP or elsewhere. It is entirely your decision.
Q: Aren’t unions banned at HP?
A: No, they’re not. It would be illegal to ban membership of a
union at HP.
Q: I don’t want to put my head above the trench!
A: That’s a common concern. However, it should be stressed that
membership of a union is confidential, so there is no need for
anybody else to know that you are a union member if you wish to
keep it to yourself. Also, you are under no obligation whatsoever
to become actively involved in union business if you’d rather not.
So the trench will be affording you the same protection it always
has but with the added security of a union lookout at the top!
Q: I believe my career would suffer if I were a union member
A: Another common concern. As mentioned previously, you have a
legal right to join a union if you wish to, therefore it is illegal
to discriminate on the grounds of union membership. Those inclined
to be slightly more cynical may think that what is illegal and what
actually happens are two different things. But consider this: HP
would be sticking their necks out to blatantly discriminate against
someone because of union membership; the trade press have an
uncanny knack of finding out about these things, and that would be
the last thing HP would want.
Q: Unions have a bad name – I don’t want to be associated with
trouble makers
A: Many of you will remember the scenes we witnessed in the 70’s
and 80’s, when every day seemed to bring more trouble on a picket
line. Thankfully, those scenes are, largely, a thing of the past.
Unions these days tend to want to talk before taking any action.
Industrial action is only ever contemplated as a last resort, after
a secret ballot of the union members, and only then if the majority
of the membership agrees that it is the best course to take.
Q: It costs too much for what you get
A: Considering the advantages, can you afford not to be a
member? Unite subscriptions are very reasonable. Even after the
modest 2007 increase, the cost of membership is still under a
tenner per month. The benefits outlined on the main page are
probably worth that alone without considering the added benefit of
having a unified voice to put your feelings across to HP. If you
set up a direct debit you probably won’t even be aware of the fact
that you’re paying a subscription.
Q: I’ve heard that the union only represents parts of the
company where they have been recognised
A: All members have the right to individual representation on
any grievance or disciplinary matter and many members have
testified to this valuable benefit having had grievances
successfully resolved to their satisfaction.
Q: I can’t be bothered
A: This can only be answered by considering how happy you are
with your lot at HP, or how you see your future developing. You may
be quite happy with the way your career is developing and with your
compensation package, but you probably know HP colleagues who are
perhaps far less fortunate. While HP has the power to ‘negotiate’
on an individual basis, they can, in effect, ‘do with you what they
will’. So, the fact that you are being fairly treated now, if you
are one of the lucky ones, is no guarantee of fair treatment in the
future.
You insure your life, your home, your car, even your holiday,
all of which depend on your job. Why not insure your job? Surely
it’s important enough?
Think about it: what do you have to lose by joining Unite?
Precious little but you could have an awful lot to gain.
Join Unite @ HP today.
