FAQs: No more reasons not to join Prospect
Current Prospect members already know about all the tremendous benefits that membership confers: better pay, protections at work, legal advice, career support, training and networking opportunities, to name just a few.
However, there may be some people who are still sitting on the fence and need that final nudge before they make that leap.
What do you say to them when you’re trying to recruit?
After all, recruitment benefits us all. The more members we have, the stronger our voice in boardrooms and in the corridors of power. Plus, don’t forget, for every new member you’re able to recruit, you will receive a £10 reward.
So, if you’re actively recruiting in your workplace, or if you’re still undecided on whether to join us, here’s a FAQ-style cheat sheet on common questions and statements that come up.
What is a union anyway?
A trade union helps to secure and protect a healthier working life for you and your colleagues through collective organisation. Above all, a union is you and your fellow workers changing the workplace for the better.
A union has a democratic structure, and you decide on important issues that you want to change. Some unions have recognition agreements or collective bargaining agreements with employers, which gives them a legal right to negotiate with their employer.
‘It’s too expensive’
Your membership subscription is calculated depending on your salary and can be as little as £1.38 a month. We offer concessions for students.
It’s value for money – a premium service that offers peace of mind and security. It’s not as expensive as losing your job and having no-one to fight your corner. Membership includes free legal advice.
Many members think of it as the price of a cup of coffee each week.
I’m already paid pretty well. Why would I join a union?
There’s a few reasons. Of course, pay is just one of the reasons we’re organising – but let’s talk about pay and wages for a minute. You might be in a good situation now, but what will be the effects of outside forces – such as lockdown and COVID – have on the situation? What does your pay packet look like if you get sick, go on parental leave, or have to reduce your working hours?
It’s not just about money either; how you are treated and the conditions that you work in are also important. Issues like working hours, unpaid overtime, the right to disconnect and a voice that is listened to are also key issues where union membership can make all the difference.
Most importantly – is everyone in your company paid well and treated properly? Does everyone have a secure position, with good pay and benefits? Think about whether everyone is paid fairly and equally. Think about those at the very top of the company and those who have just started in a junior role.
Can you use your stable and well compensated position to stand up for others? Can you use your influence and experience in the company to improve the working lives of some of your colleagues?
I’m leaving my job / switching companies anyway
Leaving your job doesn’t have to mean losing the protection or benefits of trade union membership. Prospect offer support and protection to employees regardless of whether we are officially recognised by the employer. We can even give you advice on the terms of your new employment contract, whether it’s a permanent or temporary post.
If you move jobs within the same sector, we may already represent employees in your new workplace and we can simply amend your existing Prospect membership. We can also advise and support you if you want to build the union in your workplace or fight for a recognition agreement.
‘I can get all the benefits without joining’
If you’re in a workplace where the employer ‘recognises’ the union with a formal recognition agreement, you may get a tiny proportion of the benefits, mainly to do with collective bargaining, but you won’t get a voice in those negotiations. By being part of a democratic process, such as consultation and negotiation, you have a voice.
In unrecognised workplaces, with no collective bargaining, you will not be getting any Prospect benefits such as professional support and representation if you have a problem at work, and legal fees paid if we support your case at a tribunal. Our members in all workplaces enjoy plenty of other benefits, such as free training courses, a free legal helpline for non-work issues and exclusive money-saving offers on insurance, holidays and more.
The more members we have, the stronger we become and the more protection we can offer. If we have enough members joining in an unrecognised workplace, we can also push for formal recognition.
‘Freeloading’ can undermine the strength of the union, which can have a negative effect on deals and agreements – it doesn’t help anyone.
‘I’m a freelance/seasonal/contract worker, so I can’t join’
Yes, you can! We represent thousands of freelance, contract and seasonal workers across a range of industries, from archaeology to theatre and from broadcasting to science. For freelancers and the self-employed, there has never been a more important time to join a union.
‘I’m too busy’
You can join online in just a few minutes.
Also, if you get actively involved, you can help yourself and your colleagues – that’s a very good use of your time.
‘Aren’t you affiliated to the Labour party?’
No – Prospect is not affiliated to any political party. The only people we answer to are our members. We are, however, politically active and campaign at the highest levels to protect our members and their industries.
‘I don’t want to go on strike’
At Prospect we see a strike as a last resort and it only happens if members vote in favour of action and the union’s National Executive Committee approves it.
Around 90% of our members have never been on strike, because negotiation usually settles disputes. But sometimes it can be worth going on strike to get a better deal, like our members in public services did successfully last year.
‘I’ve had a bad experience with unions in the past’
We’re here to ensure that workplace situations can be resolved by being part of our collective. We want to know what we can do to make your experience of unions better. We’re working to make sure you have a good experience of being a Prospect member so, hopefully, we’ll help improve your experience of unions.
‘It could harm my career’
Learning new skills, meeting and talking to managers and having access to training opportunities will help your career, not harm it. Lots of our members have cited how being part of the union has helped them get promotions or new jobs.
‘My manager is a member’
The union is inclusive so every staff member can join. If you ever had a dispute with your manager, the union would find different reps for each of you to ensure that you received a fair and unbiased outcome.
If I join a union, will you tell my company? / ‘I’m worried about management reprisals’
No. When you join, we ask for your workplace so we can keep track of the size of your branch, but we would never tell your employer. Being a member of a trade union is protected information, and it is illegal to discriminate against you for being a member.
Remember, everybody has the right to join a union. You’re actually more likely to be targeted by management if you’re not a union member.
Why do you hate bosses? Why do you want to bring down the company?
We don’t believe in either of those things. We believe in our work and the places we work. Unions don’t usually grow from a group of workers who hate their jobs; they grow from workers who want to feel proud of where they work. They want the best conditions available to do good work.
For example, the Scottish Government, is also a supporter of unions – in their Fair Work Framework they set out some useful advantages of Effective Voice.
We believe that good businesses prosper and grow by treating their employees fairly.
‘It won’t make a difference’
All workers’ rights have been won because of unions – think the weekend, national minimum wage, annual leave, family-friendly policies, health and safety rights etc.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Prospect was involved in the discussions with the government that launched the furlough scheme.
Unions have always been at the forefront of ensuring workers get a fair deal. The Employment Rights Bill is just one example of the pressure of unions, persuading the government to act.
Clearly, there’s more to do – but it’s unthinkable where we’d be without unions.