Usdaw Union Reviews 

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.

Joined 12 months ago
contacted them on May 23 requested support I was told someone would call back.
It’s now June 9th and I haven’t been contacted happy to the money from me though.

Below standard to say the least

Like many have already said, agreeing to allow staff to be paid under minimum wage for 4 weeks, was a joke!
Barely any store reps, our store has only 1 person.
Wouldn’t recommend this union… can’t even go on strike & clearly does not look after its members … when negotiating pay etc with Tesco.

Save your money, opt out if you’re still paying into it!

They are the fraud company. According their published article they never provide any help if you face problems in you work place

Waste of space & money, never turn up just takes your money just makes silly excuses for not showing up

Been union member since i joined tesco. Aince our store rep died few years ago we dont seem to be getting any support. Nobody wants to be a rep anymore and BEING PAID UNDER MINIMUM WAGE FOR 4 WEEKS is a SCAM

Whats worse is usdaw FORCE A NO STRIKE POLICY.. Due to being Essential workers?

Even the NHS can strike.

The £12.02 isnt actually bad its similar to others. Its the fact lies always occur from usdaw and no support at all just ads to buy insurance and its the fact they allow workers to be slaves under legal pay due payday being ONE DAY before the law.

The minimum wage increases to £11.44 today. But as a Tesco colleague I am still on £11.02 per hour. Thank you for allowing Tesco to save £17 million pounds by delaying our pay rise and not complying with the Government minimum wage.

If you're unfortunate enough to work for Tesco, I did for 22 years, then these charlatans represent you. Every pay rise that USDAW claim to have achieved for you is all lies, Tesco state how much you're getting and USDAW agree, every time. All your pay rises have caveats attached, you lose more than you gain and USDAW agree to it. Useless Seven Days A Week.

Accused me of lying about when I joined when I asked for a pen as i had hit 30 years a member.

All those decades of paying subs, never once needed a rep and you are arguing over a fancy biro.

Worst scam union out there. For the employer not the employee. Time for a new union. Time for change. Usdaw you suck!!!!!! They allow companies to pay less than minimum wage. Shame

USDAW failed to help me when Tesco refused to pay my maternity pay during covid. I was deemed too vulnerable to work whilst pregnant during covid and their occupational health nurse signed me off then Tesco deemed me ineligible for maternity pay as I hadn't been at work. despite them not letting me.

Great company and attentive rep that helped me get compensation with from an extremely poor company I was in dispute with.

Unreliable. Wait days before someone calls you back. Don't bother turning up to support you when arranged. Basically take your money then don't provide a service. Stay well clear.