A collective voice for engineers
If you work for a multi-national engineering or technology enterprise and have concerns about how and where you work, you are not alone.
Millions of us have had to endure changes to our work as a result of the pandemic and, while some feel liberated by new working practices and locations, many are isolated and vulnerable.
Many employers are preparing to respond to lessons learned, contemplating the balance of their needs and yours, against the backdrop of legal obligations – safety, equality and contractual change.
Employers have much to consider, but how much say do you have in this process?
Influence at work
There may be some form of employee input, perhaps a staff council or employee voice group. This may exist for legal compliance (for potential redundancy consultation) or with genuine intentions to hear your voice. In most cases this format is restricted to consultation not negotiation, however. It may apply only to limited employment matters, and there may be few staff willing to participate.
The union difference
Where recognised by an employer, Prospect provides expertise, resources and independent democracy. Staff have secured recognition within employers such as Babcock, MOD, Jacobs and Amey Construction. They joined the union to challenge decisions and influence outcomes on matters such as pay, health and safety, and holiday entitlement. Their recognition agreements mean they can negotiate on these matters, rather than merely be informed of decisions.
Prospect is the largest collective voice of engineers in the UK, with over 30,000 members working in engineering.
Organising a union where you work
If Prospect is not recognised in your workplace, we can still make a difference for members. The union can assist you individually and offer valuable services to improve your working life. We have over 9,000 members in this circumstance (in companies such as Mott MacDonald, Dyson and QinetiQ).
But if you wish to achieve negotiation rights, the union will need to establish recognition – through a voluntary or legal route. We can help with this, but initially we will need a group of members to proceed with us – and you don’t need to tell your boss you’re a union member.
How can Prospect improve your working life?
There are many good reasons to join. It’s possible that Prospect has already helped you with the government’s furlough scheme, which we helped negotiate. If you work for an employer where we are recognised it is likely our work on pay, health and safety, and equality will have impacted upon you.
Prospect has been instrumental in bringing media and government attention to the significant gender pension gap, we are lobbying for employee data rights, a better future of work, and our Right to Disconnect campaign is gaining national media attention.