I know in general unions are a great thing…. Well I live in the UK and joined unison. Working for the NHS I wanted to vote on the ballet to strike for better pay.
Firstly I emailed the union rep to ask some questions. Expecting a response answering some of the questions I was asking…. But what did I get, a generic response that didn't cover ANYTHING I asked. I responded to this generic email stating I was dissipointed that they couldn't be bothered to answer my queries, a few days later I got a proper response with an apology and the answers I wanted, so I thought I would give them a chance, I joined the union.
After joining I queried with the rep to make sure I could be part of the ballot and was told a ballot would be sent. A week later I had not received anything, so I phoned, went through the automated phone system and when I got to a human went through my details and requested a ballot, I was told one would be sent and to wait. 2 weeks later still nothing, I received a message asking if I had submitted my ballot, I replied i still had not received one. The deadline came to vote I phoned was told it was too late as they had to send me a ballot in the post queried why I never received one when I chased having not received one several times, just got told well it says we sent it. I asked to leave the union and they just said sure, they really didn't care.
I though every vote counted but I felt more like an inconvenience to them when I contacted them.
I was not supprised this week when I saw that not enough staff voted to strike, maybe they had the same issues I did.