Usdaw Union Reviews 

This horrible union is the only union that gets you a small pay increase but always allows management to take something back in return, nearly all shopworkers get single pay for every day of the week, usdaw has sold workers out when it comes to weekend pay, they are a terrible union.

Specifically reached out to them, with an interest in becoming a member, having found (on there website) that they have had dealings with my employer. 1st I called them only to be dismissed quickly stating they could not support the work sector I occupy even after quoting there website artical. And 2nd I emailed a general query with a screen shot of the artical mentioning my employer and asking 'I'm thinkin of joining and I'd like to talk to someone about it' only to be responded with hyperlinks to the website stating 'you can join here' and you can read this here etc

The screen shot clearly shows I've already been on the website. And the push to get me to join after askin to talk to someone is just disgusting.

This was the 1st Union I've reached out too after doin some research. I do hope this isn't a prelude of things to come with others

Completely useless i was invited to attendance meeting i though they will be my representative and they said to call a different manager while I'm at a dispute within the management ... I'm cancelling the subscription straight way

No use whatsoever during my membership & then a nightmare to cancel. I continued to receive promo emails so contacted via the email address given on the website for customer service, only to discover that this was of no use either.

I joined Usdaw Union last year, which at the time, under a different representative, I felt my representative couldn’t do anymore for me than what she was already doing spot on with excellent support. Unfortunately, my old representative changed to a different area, & I got a new representative. At first, I got the level of support I needed, in time that just faded away sadly. I never felt so alone with very little support at the end, that’s when I decided to cancel my membership.

Lawyer couldn't be bothered calling me. Genuinely received more support from my employer than from them. They are a useless company. Especially in Edinburgh where you wont even get a call. Ive met my local “representative” and his cheap baggy suit was a great representation of him as a lawyer/representative.

An ineffective union who hires members that actually cause problems by challenging outside of their job purview.

Lost my job after one of their representatives challenged me on a policy that wasn't in place yet and insisted on me following it, refused to take no for an answer and after them saying "Who the f*** do you think you're talking to?", had a verbal outburst which resulted in me losing my job and them getting a promotion weeks later.

Absolute joke of a union that couldn't even defend a 5 year career of perfect conduct after 1 outburst.

Company is useless just taking everyone's money. I ended up losing my job and never got hired back. The rep I assume when you call the office gives you a ring back only cared about the onsite reps when they did ABSOLUTELY nothing about the situation. Useless people don't ever consider them.

The onsite union rep was also apart of management makes 0 sense.

I'm not a member of USDAW so this is a bit of a curved ball review. I had to gather my personal information apropos a third party complaint about their Scottish head, Tracy Gilbert, now Tracy Gilbert MP. She had maliciously lied to Scottish Labour about me, doing so on USDAW letterhead no less, bit weird I am not a member!!! She didn't follow policy /procedure, she doesn't!! Her bad faith complaint wasn't upheld, it was a lie. But the reason I am now writing here is an allegation about head of legal services Darren Miller has been made. My lived experience is totally different, Mr Miller played with a straight bat during my correspondence with him. There are always 2 sides to every story. USDAW's trust rating is in the pits though!!

All round good experience, they returned all my calls, a rep came to my disaplinary and his support was great, outcome was great, couldn't fault them.

They are very quick at taking your money over the years yet they are Very slow at giving the right support when needed during any disciplinary hearing at the workplace they don’t even write a letter or help you write a letter to the employer, Method of communication is poor all that they worried about is your monthly membership still being paid on time. Darren Miller the Head of Legal Services at the union is the most useless person you can ever reach out to, They do avoid Confrontation, they will only contact you via email. Nobody will ever talk to you.
In a simple nutshell no point in joining this trading union it’s a waste of time and money.

Telling workers to accept ridiculously low pay offer, as they are too spineless to fight for decent pay

I’ve never joined a union before, I’m young and didn’t know they cost money per month. The union officer got me to fill out the card and give it back to him where he then put it hidden away in his folder. He then told me “not everything in this world is free”. I told him I didn’t want to be apart of the union as I needed this money for university. He was still in my store throughout my shift and I reminded him multiple times that I didn’t want to be apart of the union. I even let my manager know and she could tell I was visible upset and also spoke to him about it.

It turns out he proceeded my form even though I reminded him so many times that I didn’t want to be apart of the union! I assume he makes some type of commission off each applicant.

They’ve been taken payments for months without me realising as I don’t regularly check my payslip. Over £50 this year so far.

Insulting to those that fought hard for proper unions Thought long and hard before writing this review.
After reading the reviews it seems my impressions are pretty accurate.
USDAW are not deserving of the descriptor `union` and are just a front for selling/promoting of financial products and in some cases think they are superior to those that finance them
When I thought I needed them I was staggered at the cosy relationship between my company USDAW and the rep Mr `don’t take this the wrong way but ! `. Mr `don’t take this the wrong way but ! ` and the admin person in branch who both think it is an honour for me to pay £11.02 a month to USDAW. Er no it’s not.
It’s up everyone to decide value USDAW adds to their work lives but my views are USDAW
Are NOT a PROPER union and have a very cosy relationship with my employer, was amazed when my manager and rep started conversing without me in the loop - bizarre. PROPER unions don’t behave Like that, that is different to managing expectations which is normal and reasonable
Have poor attitudes to those financing the union
Do not offer any value and the money I save per month will be set aside incase I may need representation/advice in the future via a legal professional who will not have a cosy relationship with my employer but have my interests first and foremost.

Unfortunately you only know how good a union is when you need them.
USDAW are absolutely useless, especially their legal solicitors in Manchester, purely only look at things in a business/profit perspective.
You are constantly chasing up union representatives where they should be chasing you up, half the time they don’t even respond.
Many years ago Tesco and USDAW came up with “the partnership” which was effectively the end of the union as they now just go with whatever the business puts forward and rolls over.
Even if you have clear evidence of wrongdoing the faceless juggernaut that is the business will come out on top while USDAW just agrees.
Absolutely disgraceful, don’t waste your money.
Before joining ask others for their experiences and they usually tend to be the same

Very disappointed with this union then came on here and saw I’m far from being the only one . A total waste of time and area organiser didn’t know my rights as a whistleblower or having arthritis. Made a formal complaint and area organiser denied and uSDAW took her side and said their organisers arnt qualified yet I have literature that states you can speak to them about concerns of employment law . So basically what are their use? EXTREMELY DISSAPOINTED

I would vote this organisation a -5 if i had the option they do not even deserve a 1 star rating. All the staff are bullies and speak down on you. They do not record calls and will abuse you. AVOID.

As others have stated only there to take your money. Have called several times for advise to get no reply or poor advice when you do get hold of them. Made the mistake of using their service after i had a car accident and didn’t want to lose 25% of claim. Waited over 4 years to get anything and Slater and Gordon were absolutely shocking. Felt robbed of money that I should have got and wished I’d gone with another company now.
Trying to cancel and are insistent on a form being filled out. Have cancelled direct debit and informed them by email.

Cancelled my membership months ago yet they still charge me each month despite sending multiple emails asking them to stop. Useless thieves.

THEY ARE NOW REFUSING TO REFUND ME! THIS IS ILLEGAL!

I'm a union person. I'm pro union. USDAW is rubbish though. Drag their feet on everything and don't actually do anything.