Unite the Union Reviews 904

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

1.4

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 89 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many people were dissatisfied with the customer service, finding it unhelpful and difficult to reach a real person, often being ignored or receiving aggressive responses. Customers frequently reported issues with staff professionalism, noting that representatives were often rude, unresponsive, and seemed uninterested in providing support, sometimes even blaming members for their problems. Many felt abandoned when they needed help, despite paying for years, and found that their grievances were dismissed or not addressed, leading to a perception that the service was a waste of time. However, some customers were satisfied with the service, highlighting specific representatives who provided excellent guidance, support, and professionalism during difficult times, ensuring timely completion of paperwork and effective representation. A few other people also felt that certain staff members were very helpful in resolving membership issues or assisting with pay disputes, appreciating their clear communication and dedication.

What people talk about most

Staff

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of staff, with many expressing dissatisfaction with the support and... See more

Customer service

People report negative experiences with customer service, often expressing disappointment and frustration.... See more

Service

Reviewers express widespread disappointment with the service, describing it as a waste of time and an utter... See more

Customer communications

Customers consistently note negative experiences with contact, frequently reporting difficulties reaching... See more

Subscription

Consumers express significant dissatisfaction with their subscriptions, with many questioning what they are... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The Union are very loth to act, even though you may have strong evidence that would stand up in a criminal court case, not a work place dispute.The result is that employers view this union as too... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My union ignored my grievances, told me my case had “no merit,” and pulled out two weeks before tribunal when I refused an unfair settlement. I went on to win alone — proving they were wrong. We p... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Just cancelled my payments, got more help from ChatGPT then me Uniun Rep! I follower them on Facebook, and there’s lots of congratulations regarding their big wins etc for the NHS etc, but what about... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely useless, all they care about is that you do not cancel your direct debit so they can keep milking you. The moment you need their help they suddenly become "unavailable". You want to... See more


Company details

  1. Education & Training

Information provided by various external sources

Unite the union is Britain's biggest trade union with 1.42 million members. It is a democratic and campaigning union standing up for equality for all.


Contact info

1.4

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

904 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

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1.4

All reviews

(904)

83 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The Union on Netflix

Brilliant actors, however poor delivery. The movie is horrible 😫.
Painful to watch. The team could have delivered better.
The movie is horrible

August 17, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Cancelled my membership after first phone call

I was left speechless yesterday when I called the north London switchboard at 3:30pm to ask about employment rights. The woman was angry, kept cutting me off and wouldn’t let me speak. The call lasted 3 minutes during which time I repeatedly asked her if she could let me speak. She said she’d pass on my query to a union officer, without taking any of my details then hung up on me.

I’ve never called Unite before but if this is how they operate, then I would be better off with the £17pm and just call ACAS instead for free advice.

I cancelled my membership, the woman was just so rude and nasty.

August 12, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Pathetic organisation

Why does this vile organisation pick its battles( that is high profile employers) and leave other members to rot.And why are they helping with the vile redundancy points system?I tell you because they are as corrupt as they come it makes me vomit when I see them marching with there pathetic flags.You would be cheaper taking out legal cover than giving it to this kid on big tough union.I will despise them forever.

August 5, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have to say my rep who travelled…

I have to say my rep who travelled miles to represent me is a stand alone individual because as a rule my experience with unite is as follows
A dysfunctional uninspiring rabble with limited reps and little or no interest ,abhorrent admin staff and management structure that isn't capable of supporting itself let alone members ,money clearly isn't put back into providing services for members and in my workplace because of a rep that caused massive problems ,demostrated clear bias and no interest in members reaching out for help in my sector (Leeds/ Bramley) ,no flyers or advertising paperwork stayed on boards long before it was ripped down and in the bin ,everyone is aware of this at their regional office but seemingly no one cares ,nasty little uncaring individuals in financing office and benevolent fund in London don't even speak to you let alone support one of the unite members offered their support.
All in all ,don't bother wasting money on this uninspiring chippy outfit with little or no interest in its members .judging by the lack of response to concerned ex members ,the union couldn't give a hoot anyway.
Oh and to the legal rep that started my grievance process off then disappeared irrespective of calls and emails ,having a conflict of interest ,cheers fella ,just added tp the list of Disgraceful failings for this circus act organisation !

August 1, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Rubbish

They started off alright but then were of no use. I only re-joined for the legal helpline, even though I once called and knew the so-called "expert advisor" was just reading something from the internet.

There's no point at al joining as a community member unless you have a particular purpose for the legal helpline - which is all it is, a helpline, no support nor signposting nor representation.

It's sad to see that there's also no point joining if you're employed. With the way Unite advertises (and Unison, for that matter), they make it seem like it's really important to join a union, but then both unions have got terrible reviews saying the same sort of stuff about reps being useless and complaints not being dealt with fairly.

Their website pages are also not updated - it currently has 3 pages with different rates listed for the same (community) membership - 55p a week, then a link to a PDF that says it's 50p a week, but if you actually join it's 60p a week. It also lists the same person as regional coordinator of the North West (of England) when she hasn't been answering e-mails for years.

By the way, unions are not above the law - if they took your money under false pretences, threaten legal action.

And you don't have to contact a company - which is what Unite really is, a company making money while pretending to be a union - to cancel a direct debit - you can do and it's nice to, but never trust them if they say it's cancelled; check with your bank and cancel it.

June 12, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Despite paying a subscription fee along…

Despite paying a subscription fee along with several other employees over the past few months, the union has not provided any assistance and seems to be merely collecting our donations. It feels like a waste of time and money.

June 21, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I wouldn’t give a star if that was an…

I wouldn’t give a star if that was an option. They don’t even provide a service or listen to their members.
I paid for 8 years, used once and needed legal cover. They said ‘we don’t believe you will win, so won’t provide it.’
I got a solicitor myself and won! It was a clear cut case. Avoid avoid avoid! When I complained they got the vile ‘lady’ I complained about to handle the complaint. Enough said really.

April 12, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Standing with comrades from other businesses not connected with yours

Wrote to me about working for a bank that I’d been made redundant from 5 months previously .

Only contacted me during redundancy period when I cancelled my subscription and stopped lining their pockets. Often discusssed standing in solidarity with Amazon workers and dpd by email and in monthly meetings even though my line of work was banking and 100’s of job losses announced.

All the senior staff will be on ridiculous wages paid for by your monthly subscription aka cash cow.

Seriously cancel your subscription put the savings toward a lawyer

They are stealing a living from your membership fees.

May 29, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Waste of time.

I had been a union member all my working life. I had a serious work issue which led to my dismissal. The local rep was way out of his depth and they would not even consider a tribunal. I have mental health issues and although they promote how caring and supportive they are, they are not. I am very ashamed to say that I wasted my time and money on an uncaring, uncapable setup.

May 27, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

WORST UNION EVER

Worst union ever. My Union Rep didn’t help me at all, she was there for the Manager and Human Resources. Them 3 made me write a letter as if I wanted to leave the job. I asked her for the right information, but she acted clueless, No comunication with me at all in all the process. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY. They aren’t interested in the workers. And after that, I was overcharged when I already left my job place. Money grabbers, that’s what they are. I gave 1 star because I can’t put ZERO

February 26, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Unite, putting members last.

I had to threaten the Unite with legal action because they refused to represent me in Tribunal and provided unprofessional solicitors to handle my Personal Injury claim, which I ultimately won over 3 years after requesting help from Unite with different solicitors. They still refused to handle my Tribunal claim and stated that my employers did nothing wrong. Did I mention I was the only Union Rep on site at the time? They won't respond to complaints and they have barred my number from the helpline for complaining.
Unite will also force you to pay more money for your dues than advertised. Maximum price with no reimbursement. No information given regarding getting onto the proper rates and no prompt. But when you do get someone to change it, you need 3 months of wage slips which you most likely already provided while signing up. I also found that Unite was forcing members to pay into their political fund without OPTING IN. For members who joined after 2018 April your consent MUST be sought on this regard, explicitly in writing if you're a Northern Irish member. Rule 23.20 - 23.30. Avoid Unite the union, they have not reported their member numbers since 2021 and this is because of the huge number they have lost, this is in breach of regulation. Unites strike fund has been decimated and current spending forecasts Unite to run out of strike funds within a year. This is an very unstable union and I would recommend Unison if you're desperate.

May 25, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Overcharged and Ignored

Unite overcharged me for months, Even though I complained they continued to take the money!

Refused to refund me
Ignored my case
Ignored my complaints

I found out my employer had been chasing them to settle with me, but they sat on it and did not bother to tell me. I found this out after doing a data request.

Upon doing a data request to my shock and disbelief I found there were documents I had never seen, where my signature had been typed in. They just shrugged it off!

I cancelled my membership and made a formal complaint and they refused to answer my complaint as I am no longer a member!

Avoid at all costs, with overcharges and loss of a settlement that they hid from me they have cost me thousands of pounds!

May 23, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely time and money wasters!!

Absolutely time and money wasters!!! I came to make an 3mployment law claim and they didn't even bother to refer it to the solicitors. Their trade union reps just sit there and make an assessment of your application themselves so that they can avoid paying legal fees!!! How are they trade unions, they are bloody SCAMMERS!!! AVOID! SCUMS!!!

May 24, 2024
Unprompted review

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