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Which Trades Union for IT Contractors ?

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    Which Trades Union for IT Contractors ?

    Hi,

    Was thinking of joining a Union and wondered which Trades Union is most appropriate for IT Contractors ? Anyone done that recently and care to share their views as to which Union offers the most appropriate benefits to its members wrt IT Contracting ?

    I should say in advance that I am not considering IPSE after a tulipe experience with them in the past and am only looking at "proper" Trades Unions.

    Thanks,

    Boo
    Last edited by Boo; 13 September 2017, 12:47.

    #2
    Originally posted by Boo View Post
    Hi,

    Was thinking of joining a Union and wondered which Trades Union is most appropriate for IT Contractors ? Anyone done that recently and care to share their views as to which Union offers the most appropriate benefits to its members wrt IT Contracting ?

    Thanks,

    Boo
    IPSE?
    Originally posted by Stevie Wonder Boy
    I can't see any way to do it can you please advise?

    I want my account deleted and all of my information removed, I want to invoke my right to be forgotten.

    Comment


      #3
      Unions will only be interested in you if you are in permanent employment.

      They view contractors as money-grabbing aberrations.

      Join IPSE if you want a voice.
      "I can put any old tat in my sig, put quotes around it and attribute to someone of whom I've heard, to make it sound true."
      - Voltaire/Benjamin Franklin/Anne Frank...

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by SimonMac View Post
        IPSE?
        IPSE is not a trade union - lets be honest its IR35 insurance with some reasonable additions.... - it may even be good at lobbying (personally I have my doubts regarding the effectiveness of their lobbying and reasons to believe my doubts are valid).

        https://www.indycube.community/ would be my suggestion....
        merely at clientco for the entertainment

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by SimonMac View Post
          IPSE?
          Not a trade union of course but I agree it's the only option.

          The main benefit of a union to a worker is representation and support, which IPSE will provide. Most unions are firmly wedded to supporting employees and so look at everything through that filter. Ermm, no thanks...

          The snag with IPSE - if it is one, which I don't think it is - is that you have to fight your own battle with a lot of help, you can't simply hand it off to your local rep and wait for the miracle. But since we're independent contractors, I fail to see that as an issue.
          Blog? What blog...?

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by SimonMac View Post
            IPSE?
            Originally posted by cojak View Post
            Join IPSE if you want a voice.
            Originally posted by malvolio View Post
            Not a trade union of course but I agree it's the only option.
            I should say in advance that I am not considering IPSE after a tulipe experience with them in the past and am only looking at "proper" Trades Unions.

            Have edited OP,

            Boo

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by eek View Post
              IPSE is not a trade union - lets be honest its IR35 insurance with some reasonable additions.... - it may even be good at lobbying (personally I have my doubts regarding the effectiveness of their lobbying and reasons to believe my doubts are valid).

              https://www.indycube.community/ would be my suggestion....
              Same here - I don't see IPSE delivering anything for contractors ? Insurance you can buy anywhere.

              A Trade Union for contractors is also a nonsense.
              Last edited by radish2008; 13 September 2017, 12:56. Reason: spelling ...

              Comment


                #8
                Which Trades Union for IT Contractors ?

                Have a look at independent workers union of Great Britain. Probably best fit as a union for contractors.
                But I doubt it's what you're after as unions are inherently opposed to our preferred working methods (no rights, risk, no sick pay, less tax).
                If you're inside ir35 then just join the popular union at your clients site (probably unite, unison or GMB)
                Last edited by Lance; 13 September 2017, 13:13.
                See You Next Tuesday

                Comment


                  #9
                  BT was and is heavily unionised. The unions were an active part in getting British IT staff kicked out and replaced with thousands of Indian nationals who came in on intra company transfer visas, and many are still here having been giving indefinite leave to remain, and shifting many of the jobs to India too. The unions were also pushing unrealism on wages of the sexes, ie pay women the same as the men despite on average them not working away from home so much, not working long weekends as much, not working crazy hours as much, and so on... So complete nonsense.

                  The union also pushed for making voluntary redundancy offers to everyone, regardless of rating, skills needed in the business, and so on... So mostly the best people left with big payouts and the dross was left behind to work with their friends from India. Indeed this happened time and time again.

                  So dont think the unions ever did anything for the British IT workforce.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by CoolCat View Post
                    BT was and is heavily unionised. The unions were an active part in getting British IT staff kicked out and replaced with thousands of Indian nationals who came in on intra company transfer visas, and many are still here having been giving indefinite leave to remain, and shifting many of the jobs to India too. The unions were also pushing unrealism on wages of the sexes, ie pay women the same as the men despite on average them not working away from home so much, not working long weekends as much, not working crazy hours as much, and so on... So complete nonsense.

                    The union also pushed for making voluntary redundancy offers to everyone, regardless of rating, skills needed in the business, and so on... So mostly the best people left with big payouts and the dross was left behind to work with their friends from India. Indeed this happened time and time again.

                    So dont think the unions ever did anything for the British IT workforce.
                    Are you saying the union was secretly running BT ? Didn't the management or board notice ? I find this very hard to believe.

                    Comment

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