Trade Union Levies
One of the problems with a blog site is that stories disappear from view - and sometimes people find it difficult to find a particle article - without having to trawl through pages and pages of daily posts.
So in response to several enquiries I am re-posting two recent articles - about trade unions and political levies - which have generated a lot of interest, if readers' e-mails are anything to go by.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Opting-Out Made Easy
In a recent post I promised to provide contact details - for any readers wishing to opt out of paying a political levy to the Labour party.
Now the official way to do this is very cumbersome and involves tracking down some local union rep within your branch - whom no one knows - and who may not even understand what you're talking about.
So the best and quickest way to do this would be simply to send an e-mail to your union regional secretary - and politely ask that person to sort things out on your behalf.
Here are the people you may wish to contact:
GMB - Harry Donaldson: harry.donaldson@gmb.org.uk
Unite - Fiona Farmer: fiona.farmer@unitetheunion.org
Unison - Matt Smith: matt.smith@unison.co.uk
All you need to do is to say something along the lines of:
"Dear Regional Secretary
Labour Party Political Levy
I would like to stop paying a political levy to the Labour party with immediate effect - and would like to union to return this money to me in future.
My union membership number is - xxxxxxx
My address and post code is - xxxxxxxxx
My union branch is - xxxxxxxx
Please action this request on my behalf.
Yours sincerely
A Member"
And that's about all you need to say really - just remember to date the e-mail and include your union membership number etc.
For obvious reasons - keep a copy of what you send for future reference.
The unions should not be putting any obstacles in your way - if you wish to exercise your right to opt-out of paying the political levy - if they do, let me know.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Paying a Political Levy
A number of readers have asked for advice recently on how they can stop paying a political levy - as part of their regular union contributions.
Many union members don't even realise they pay a regular levy - which is then passed on to the Labour party - to the tune of millions of pounds a year.
For union members who don't actively support the Labour party - handing money over on a regular basis is plainly a bit bonkers.
And opting out of the political levy system - would save union members around 10% a year on their union contributions.
So how do you opt out?
Well the best thing to do would be to write to the regional secretary of your own trade union - stating that you no longer wish to pay into party political fund - that supports only the Labour party.
You can then do what you want with the money that you save - you could spend this on yourself - or make a donation to some cause or issue that your do actively support.
I will post contact details for the regional secretaries of the trade unions that affiliate to the Labour party - over the next few days.
So in response to several enquiries I am re-posting two recent articles - about trade unions and political levies - which have generated a lot of interest, if readers' e-mails are anything to go by.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Opting-Out Made Easy
In a recent post I promised to provide contact details - for any readers wishing to opt out of paying a political levy to the Labour party.
Now the official way to do this is very cumbersome and involves tracking down some local union rep within your branch - whom no one knows - and who may not even understand what you're talking about.
So the best and quickest way to do this would be simply to send an e-mail to your union regional secretary - and politely ask that person to sort things out on your behalf.
Here are the people you may wish to contact:
GMB - Harry Donaldson: harry.donaldson@gmb.org.uk
Unite - Fiona Farmer: fiona.farmer@unitetheunion.org
Unison - Matt Smith: matt.smith@unison.co.uk
All you need to do is to say something along the lines of:
"Dear Regional Secretary
Labour Party Political Levy
I would like to stop paying a political levy to the Labour party with immediate effect - and would like to union to return this money to me in future.
My union membership number is - xxxxxxx
My address and post code is - xxxxxxxxx
My union branch is - xxxxxxxx
Please action this request on my behalf.
Yours sincerely
A Member"
And that's about all you need to say really - just remember to date the e-mail and include your union membership number etc.
For obvious reasons - keep a copy of what you send for future reference.
The unions should not be putting any obstacles in your way - if you wish to exercise your right to opt-out of paying the political levy - if they do, let me know.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Paying a Political Levy
A number of readers have asked for advice recently on how they can stop paying a political levy - as part of their regular union contributions.
Many union members don't even realise they pay a regular levy - which is then passed on to the Labour party - to the tune of millions of pounds a year.
For union members who don't actively support the Labour party - handing money over on a regular basis is plainly a bit bonkers.
And opting out of the political levy system - would save union members around 10% a year on their union contributions.
So how do you opt out?
Well the best thing to do would be to write to the regional secretary of your own trade union - stating that you no longer wish to pay into party political fund - that supports only the Labour party.
You can then do what you want with the money that you save - you could spend this on yourself - or make a donation to some cause or issue that your do actively support.
I will post contact details for the regional secretaries of the trade unions that affiliate to the Labour party - over the next few days.
