Paging HR types

Apart from access to Union legal advice what benefits
would it actually offer?
Is there some law that says an employer has to negotiate
with a Union rather than individual employees?

 

Collective bargaining. In a negotiation, it's all but certain that the
employer will use the "like it or lump it" approach at some point, on
the basis that they might lose a couple but they won't lose them all.
Never underestimate the power of being able to threaten to strike.

I should, of course, make the distinction between threatening to strike
as a nuclear option, and doing it as matter of habit. cf. ASLEF and RMT.

To a point, yes. If a union is recognised, then collective bargaining
becomes mandatory, though any collective agreements are only legally
binding if the agreement explicitly says so.

http://www.yourrights.org.uk/yourrights/rights-of-workers/unions/union-
recognition.html
http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/ltext/statutory-right-to-union-
recognition.htm#statutory_right_to_union_recognition
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/52/schedule/A1

etc.

 

And that''s the problem in any large organisation, starting from
scratch.

 

Of course, but within large organisations there are other smaller
organisations. One obvious reason for companies to want to legally
absorb subsidiaries, rather than retain them as separate legal entities,
is the dilution of the workforce.

God, do I sound like sweller yet?

 

For starters make sure she writes everything down, with times, dates,
and people involved.

Then, if the pay is even so much as late she could always try the
fishing with a hand grenade approach and send a letter to the MD of
the company stating he has a week to rectify matters or it'll be
followed up at the small claims court as a breach of contract.

 

Not sure, do your "Right lads, everybody out..."

 

Not quite but then comrade sweller knows the importance a well run union
can be to a large organisation.

 

I think we all know the importance of a happy workforce to a large
organisation.

Depends how you define large, mind.

 

Also the business sector it is in.

 

Yes, **** off to Norway.

 

None of which is relevant.

 

Good point. I doubt that I'm getting the full story.

All advice passed on, thanks all. It's up to her now.

 

It can be very relevant.

If for instance you happen to have the HDD and all the backup tapes of the
accounting system server....