15 reasons people give for not joining a union
Tips on how to dispel myths, overcome objections, and encourage people to become UNISON members
How to dispel myths and overcome objections
The best people to recruit new members are the UNISON members working alongside them.
Successful recruiters can influence non-members to join when the union is seen to be active, has credibility, organises in a workplace and actively contacts potential members on a regular basis.
But there will be occasions when potential members have a reason why they don’t want to join a union. It’s important to listen and acknowledge their reasons. Then provide a response that can help overcome the objection and encourage them to join.
Here are some of the most common reasons people give for not joining a union – along with suggested answers.
15 reasons for not joining, and how to answer them
UNISON membership subs depend on how much you earn. Have the subs rates handy so you can confirm what it would cost them.
“It’s value for money, especially when you consider the essential cover and all the different benefits of membership.
But it’s also about winning fair pay and decent annual pay awards. You say it’s too expensive. Is that because this monthly cost is too much or is it because you are not paid enough for the work you do…?
To win better pay we need everyone onboard and joining the campaign….”
It’s also good to have to hand the full range of UNISON benefits to run through.
Listen to their negative experience. Don’t try to justify or defend it.
Acknowledge what they are saying and if necessary agree, but reassure them this is a strong and responsive UNISON branch that will take their issues seriously, provide them the opportunity to be involved if they want, and be ready with advice and support whenever needed.
“It is true that when unions negotiate a pay rise, longer holidays, or policy improvements it tends to cover the whole workforce. But non-members don’t get any support, advice, or representation from our workplace reps, the branch, or our legal professionals when things go wrong.
Non-members get no say in UNISON consultations and negotiations around pay, jobs, and terms and conditions of employment.
And by not joining, non-members undermine the strength of the union which in turn weakens us during those negotiations.
The only way to strengthen the union and strengthen our bargaining strength on issues like pay is to join.”
Explain that all unions have a political fund – it’s needed for campaigning.
“It is up to individual members whether they choose to actively sign up to pay an extra amount over and above their subs into the union’s campaigning fund or Labour Link.”
“Employers don’t need to know if someone is a member, and you can pay by direct debit rather than through your salary.
On top of that, UNISON has a lifelong learning agenda – learning new skills and ongoing training opportunities will help a member’s career, not harm it.”
“Not having needed a union yet doesn’t mean you won’t need one in the future. You never know when something could happen at work that puts you in a vulnerable position, or when you might want to challenge the way you’ve been treated, or when a change of budgets suddenly puts your job at risk.”
“Every worker in the UK has the legal right to join a union. UNISON has thousands of agency workers in membership. They pay by direct debit and can get access to advice, support and representation the same as all other members.”
“A strike is a last resort for everyone and only happens if members vote in favour of action. By joining the union, you will have a say in whether a strike is voted for, and you’ll get the benefits of the win.
But 90% of members have never been on strike because negotiation usually settles disputes. Strikes really aren’t as common as you might think. When was the last strike here, and if there was one, did it result in improvements?”
Try to find out why that would be an issue? Explain that UNISON is an inclusive and democratic organisation.
“Managers have no more say in UNISON matters than any other member.”
Be ready to list all the essential cover and financial benefits of UNISON membership.
If they are in an employer where UNISON is recognised for pay bargaining, remind them that UNISON membership strengthens the bargaining position of the team that wins improvements to their pay and terms and conditions every year.
Ask them to think about what their annual pay award would be like if it were just left to the employer with no union negotiation.
Public service workers usually care deeply about the pay they receive and the services they provide. If they appear “apathetic” it’s generally because we have not done enough to convince them of the value of membership and that UNISON can win change in their workplace.
Try open questions to find out what they care about, such as: “If you could change one thing at work what would that be?” Then be ready to engage with them on that issue and how UNISON membership can help address it.
Explain that UNISON has 1.3m public service workers in membership. Be ready with examples of where UNISON has won real change for members locally, as well as the full range of essential cover and benefits UNISON provides to members.
Explain that it is unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their trade union membership and that ultimately it is non-members, who work without the protection of a union, who are more likely to face problems from management.
But if they are worried, they can join by direct debit and keep their membership private and confidential from the employer.
Acknowledge that is a shame.
Explain why you are a UNISON member. Outline all the support, benefits and protection UNISON membership provides. Ask what they would like to see change at work and then talk through how that could be achieved if everyone joined UNISON and got involved in a plan to win change.
Have a response ready for if they don’t know what a union is. Something like:
“UNISON is a group of colleagues here at ..... who join to support each other, and to protect our interests like better pay, good working conditions, and a safe workplace.
We are part of UNISON which is the biggest union in the country – with over 1.3 million public service workers all standing together. Membership costs ... a month but once you’re a member you’re protected. You’ll never face a problem at work alone and by joining you’ve strengthened our campaigns on pay, job security, protecting public services and achieving equality at work.”
And be ready with the full list of essential cover and benefits they get through UNISON membership.
Encourage them not to leave it till its too late. Tell them you have lots of examples where someone put off joining, forgot, and then didn’t have membership when they needed it.
“It takes just 2 minutes to join – lets do it now so you know its done!”
If they really do not have time, try to agree a time for a follow up chat: “I understand, I’ll call by tomorrow so I can answer any questions you may have”.