IT Unions in New Zealand?

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BTR

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#148474 20-Jun-2014 12:53

Hi All,

I am interested to know if anyone here belongs to a union and if so which one. I currently belong to a private union and I am thinking of changing to a more public one. I work in IT.

Would also be great if anyone can suggest a union.

Thanks

---

Blake R

www.btr.net.nz

vexxxboy

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#1070949 20-Jun-2014 13:06

cant help you , i have never been in a union and never will .

Common sense is not as common as you think.

DravidDavid

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#1070976 20-Jun-2014 13:28

I've heard of unions for teachers, but never for IT. Is there a union for everything? What is the benefit of belonging to one anyway?

Inphinity

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#1070980 20-Jun-2014 13:32

Didn't even know there were IT unions in NZ, thought it was a thread about Unicorns.

Jaxson

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#1070982 20-Jun-2014 13:34

Inphinity: Didn't even know there were IT unions in NZ, thought it was a thread about Unicorns.

Same thing isn't it?

gzt

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#1070984 20-Jun-2014 13:43

BTR: Hi All, I am interested to know if anyone here belongs to a union and if so which one. I currently belong to a private union and I am thinking of changing to a more public one. I work in IT. Would also be great if anyone can suggest a union. Thanks

Depends which sector you work in, and can depend if there are other members on your site.

A couple of examples anyway:

EPMU (Telecommunication/ISP)
First Union (Finance/Banking)

I assume you are in some kind of employer controlled union at present? If your employer decided to establish or join a 'private' union it is a fairly safe bet there are at least one or two members of the original competing union still around.

MikeB4

MikeB4
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#1070995 20-Jun-2014 14:10

DravidDavid: I've heard of unions for teachers, but never for IT. Is there a union for everything? What is the benefit of belonging to one anyway?

If you work in IT for the Government you can join the PSA, of course it's voluntary

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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wasabi2k

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#1071030 20-Jun-2014 14:56

What are you hoping to get out of Union membership?

I don't particularly see the attraction.

surfisup1000

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#1071061 20-Jun-2014 15:39

That would be like having a union for lawyers or accountants.

Given that IT workers are in demand I didn't think a union would be necessary.

Also,when you join a union you are supporting the labour party whose philosophy is for hard workers to pay for the lazy -- like mixing up the ant and the grasshopper story.

Don't get me going ha ha.

Killerkiwi2005

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#1071082 20-Jun-2014 15:53

DravidDavid: I've heard of unions for teachers, but never for IT. Is there a union for everything? What is the benefit of belonging to one anyway?

When you work for a big company it can be useful if you get into a dispute with your employer, as always whough you have to remember that unions have there own agenda

chevrolux

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#1071448 21-Jun-2014 09:33

We get paid too much and have pretty good work conditions. Why would we need a union?

gzt

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#1071483 21-Jun-2014 10:15

I know nothing about the OP but the reality is not all I.T workers are in the same position.

On a minimum level union membership is a kind of insurance policy that provides you with employment advice if/when you need it and professional mediation. On a social level membership provides the same support to other people. Unrelated to that the larger unions provide a few discounts and sometimes discounted holiday accommodation in donated properties.

For those without an active membership at their workplace the CTU is offering a $1 per week option providing access to employment advice. That's pretty good value.