Which Trades Union for IT Contractors ?

**SimonMac** · 13 September 2017, 11:13

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?

**cojak** · 13 September 2017, 11:21

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.

**eek** · 13 September 2017, 11:23

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....

**malvolio** · 13 September 2017, 11:25

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.

**Boo** · 13 September 2017, 12:47

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

**radish2008** · 13 September 2017, 12:56

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.

**Lance** · 13 September 2017, 13:01

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)

**CoolCat** · 13 September 2017, 13:40

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.

**radish2008** · 13 September 2017, 13:57

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.

Which Trades Union for IT Contractors ?