Usdaw Union Reviews 

Would give zero stars if I could to this useless union. I was bullied, harassed and belittled, with no provocation, by a shift leader in Monkstown Tesco Express in Newtownabbey. This was from the first week I started and went on for almost a year. I was grateful for the job and was co operative with everyone including her. But her tone of voice was very condescending when dealing with me and her facial expressions very aggressive and hostile. I dreaded her being there every time I went in for a shift as this behaviour was just the norm. Others in the store told me several people had left over the years because of her behaviour. Management had been made aware but apparently just said that's the way she is! These people didn't want to be named and seemed afraid of her for whatever reason. I told the assistant manager eventually and she spoke to her. Her attitude improved but only for a few weeks and then she became hostile again. I actually resigned but the assistant manager talked me into staying and I spoke to the manager. He specifically told me she treated men differently and he'd spoke to her before over similar complaints. The assistant manager had also told me she treated her badly at the start. The manager told me he would speak to her and wanted her to apologize to me. After he spoke to her he spoke to me again. He didn't mention any apology and said vaguely that whether we spoke to each other or not things should be ok going forward. Not the case. Her attitude was if anything even worse and I'd been told by an insider she was furious I'd reported her. I went back to management and said things hadn't improved. Both managers repeated how difficult she had been with the assistant manager and advised me to take a grievance against her. I wrote about ten pages worth and put it in as a grievance. In response she took one against me with a few flimsy lies to try and justify it. The same manager from another store took both grievances. So I got a union rep. As it happens that was a mistake. I had no actual evidence or witnesses but had went into a lot of detail. This investigation manager was giving her grievance, if anything, more credibility than mine even though she had never complained to me about my work or attitude, never taken me to the office for a let's talk (a Tesco process if unhappy about something) or spoken to management about me. This union rep failed to challenge the investigation manager about any of this and kept trying to silence me when I was making relevant points. At one of the meetings when I was challenging the investigation manager on relevant points they appeared to dislike it and declared a recess. I was then locked out of the room for 40 minutes with the investigation manager, note taker and this union rep in there chatting. Totally against procedure and protocol. When I eventually got back in I asked him for an explanation. He tried to fob me off like I was a 5 year old by saying oh they were discussing some other Tesco business as well. This would be wrong anyway during my grievance but I'm pretty sure he was lying to me anyway and had came to a cosy arrangement with this investigation manager. Because he suggested that me and the person who bullied me should both take respect and dignity training as an outcome!! I didn't take a genuine grievance after almost a year of belittlement by this person to then accept at the end that it was as much my fault as hers! This clown was not only happy with this suggestion he was self congratulary! The investigating manager of course then ludicrously decided I was equally at fault for myself being bullied and dignity training all round was the solution! I subsequently found my manager lied that he hadn't told me this shift leader treated men differently and the assistant manager lied that she hadn't told me she also treated her badly. This investigation manager gave the outcome they wanted and they lied to try and make me look like a liar. The union representative was clearly also onside with management and not worth a penny of my wages. I tried to arrange an appeal and the union were more a hindrance than a help to getting a fair appeal so I resigned from this useless union and will keep my money. The whole thing was a horrible experience and very detrimental to my mental health. But I can sleep at night as the only person who told the gospel truth in all this! I wouldn't advise anyone to work in that store or join USDAW. Date of experience is my last day working in that store.

I joined as a member last year when I got my most recent job. As a 22 year old young man, this was my first Union and I am over the moon with the exceptional service that USDAW provided me.

The gentleman who represented me was a man named Lloyd Towner, and he has been an absolute gem. He's not only saved my job, but my life. I am eternally grateful for his efforts and support.

I absolutely recommend this service, as they go above and beyond for their members. Thanks to Lloyd, I feel more secure than ever in being able to combat workplace issues and have a confidant I can rely on.

Definitely get on this service if you're in Tunbridge Wells or surrounding areas. Genuinely 10/10 service.

Great People. Really supportive and hardworking.

If I could give 0 stars I would. This union is supposed to represent workers but they jumped straight in bed with every supermarket owner. They screw over every store worker and make decisions about our lives without consultation. While transport and health unions are backing their members, this waste of space union is sucking up to the shareholders, facilitating a legion of parasitic leeches that prey on the average person just trying to get through life.

Absolutely useless
The in store union rep is the problem in the Knottingley Morrisons .
She was always stuck with management and her union members always came second to them.
Comes across as a nice girl but really is quite the opposite
She caused nothing but problems with my wife
I used to be a union rep myself and I told my wife ( Do not trust her )
She has more faces than the town hall clock
Hard earned money paying for membership with usdaw , poor poor poor representation ( if any )
For anyone needing help in the Knottingley store stay well away from her get an outside usdaw rep .
It’s criminal what she is doing and she doesn’t deserve the title union rep.
Stuck so far up managements arses seen it all before
If I could give a 0 I would

I’m happy that the rep team in the call centre I work in managed to secure us a decent pay rise! I also like how I’m always invited along to branch meetings and how the notice board in the office is always being refreshed and that I can read things like health and safety minutes on there

Just because they might know all the terms and conditions and as I was pressured from my then employer to contact a solicitor the union said they wouldn't deal with my issue because of that 😡. Don't waste your money but if you do hopefully you don't get a condisending rep like I got

Brilliant support when I needed them. Wasn't sure at first becsuse was a bit more money coming out but isn't that much to pay really. Loads of benefits from membership I feel happier at work as supermarket worker knowing theyve got my back if I need it. Worth weight in gold

Well done USDAW
Finally everyone getting everyone sick pay from 1

Training has been excellent

Amazing union helped me out so much that k you

Trying to change unfair company working practices little by little!

Absolute joke of a company.

Contacted them due to an issue with my employer for the guy on the other end of the phone to not really care, didn't want to listen, wouldn't let me go into detail, just had attitude and said we'll get to the point I don't want to hear other stuff, basically took the employers defense over mine, membership cancelled will never join again, waste of money!

Had a few work issues that had been going on for a bit, mainly bullying, toxicity, that sort of thing, and the rep helped me get it sorted. No probs.

What a Fantastic Union.
I joined usdaw at the start of 2024. Wow just 2 years ago but I have achieved so much with them through great training to become a shop steward and a Health & Safety Rep. Advanced training seen me complete a 1 week residential course and most recently I attended the unions Annual Delegate Meeting. This is where everything I knew about usdaw was proven right as it came to light that this Union of people was at the forefront of change to the recently introduced Employment Rights Act which seen the biggest workplace employment protection reforms in over 40 years imo. The support and solidarity has been immense. Highly recommend not only joining usdaw but gaining support to go on and strive to do better things for your workmates.

I feel very comfortable going to Curtis for advice, he is very knowledgeable about workers rights.
And will explain anything about what we are entitled to. A good representative for usdaw.

Usdaw has completely changed my working life for the better. After a bad experience at work I joined as a member and went on to become a rep so I could do my best in making sure what happened to me doesn't happen to others. Only the union (made up of fellow colleagues) cares about the worker's welfare. In my experience, for every member who doesn't get the experience they desire there are ten more I've represented that are happy with the service i've/the union have given them. Bare it in mind that unfortunately the happy, silent majority aren't the one's most forthcoming with trustpilot reviews.

Every single time got them involved turned for favor of company instead member !

I see Usdaw as both a vital insurance policy and a collective effort. On one hand, paying your subs gives you that essential peace of mind; knowing you have professional representation and legal cover in your back pocket if things go wrong is worth every penny. In today’s workplace, you shouldn’t be without that protection.
But beyond the "insurance" side, it’s important to remember that this is our union. The strength of our voice in negotiations and the impact of our campaigns depend on our engagement. Whether you’re a quiet member who just wants the security of the policy, or someone who gets stuck into the campaigns, you are part of the effort to make work better for everyone.
It’s a great balance of personal protection and being part of something bigger. If you work in retail or distribution, joining is a no-brainer.

Amazing team in Scotland, very supportive and always willing to go the extra mile to help their members. I recommend joining if you want to ensure you get the best pay and conditions possible.