Guide to choosing a trade union

Hello everyone!
How are you? ^ ^
Today, I must admit, was quite a strange one. Nothing seemed to go right. Y'know what I mean? I guess today is monday. That's a good excuse...
Today we had uniform fittings which was an... interesting experience to say the very least... It sort of mirrored high school in that we had to get changed. In front. Of everyone. Else. Yep. Return of the plague we all called physical education. Perhaps called that because it made us tremble with fear...
Or at least it made me tremble with fear...
Moving on.
We also had a rather delayed lecture regarding 'health and safety'. Guys. Seriously? What if there was a fire on, like, the third day? We wouldn't even know what to do!! Why delay 'health and safety' until the second week? Surely it would have been more logical to cover those topics on the first day? Well, maybe I'm wrong... I dunno...
I guess anyway its kinda common sense. If there's a fire, run like crazy out the building or risk being burned ALIVEEEE!!! Push everyone else outta the way in a frenzied panic and sprint for your LIVES!!! ha ha ^ ^
Y'know what? I should be 'health and safety officer' or whatever. I'd do a pretty darn good job! ^ ^
I'm serious!
Anyway, as you may have wondered from the title of this post, I'll be discussing Unions. Like, how the hell can you decide which one to choose?! There are so many...
So, I'll be discussing a few questions...
First of all...

1. What exactly IS a union?
Well, Unions are pretty much there to support and provide help and advice to workers regarding, for instance, generally questiosn about their job, their rates of pay, employee rights, pensions etc. They fight for employee rights and defend your rights as an individual in the workplace. They also take issues as far as the Houses Of Parliament in order to ensure that your voice has been heard. However, they also can help you in more minor queries such as working in your profession abroad.

2. Why should I join a union?
This probably doesn't apply to sudents who are taking courses such as history or psychology or english (unless you take up an internship or something). It applies more to those who take up healthcare courses or courses involving some kind of work experience. Since us guys are gonna be undertaking work experience in clinical settings such as hospitals and healthcare clinics, joining a union is an important thing to think about. But, why? Since we are not technically employed, we are not bound, or rather protected, by an employment contract. So, if something were to happen or we felt something was not quite right in the workplace, we may not have that same support as a registered professional would have because they would have joined a union automatically when they first got their job. Therefore, the union comes in to play.

3. What unions can I join?
There are many unions you can join. Below is a list...
* Royal College of Nursing - represents nurses and promotes excellence in practice.
* Unison - Britains largest public sector union
* Unite the union - Britain and Irelands biggest union with over 1.5 million members
And here is a HUGE list of the major unions in the UK.

Overall, I could go on... There are so many to choose from. The main thing to remember is that you are not limited to choosing only one. You can join as many as you like. It just means that you are protected better if you do. Most unions offer the same care for their members, providing up to £3 Million worth insurance cover. Not to mention the freebees for joining...
Even if you are studying something purely academic, without any practice involved, it will be wise to remember to join a union when you venture out into the workplace. You never know when you might need them. So it would be wise to take a few minutes to read up about some of the unions' differing values, visions or goals.
In addition, the joining fee is normally around a tenner. But that is SO worth it for the insurance cover and the help and advice that the union offers yearly.
Furthermore, if you are trying to fight stress or you have a problem that you feel you cannot go to the university about, the union is there to help you.
I guess, it's just nice to know you have your back covered, but essentially it is down to you. You don't have to join a union at this very moment in time. You don't have to join a union at all. But the lecturers, the university and probably your parents as well, will try to persuade you to. And I must say that it is probably your best bet. Ever got into the car, a long journey ahead of you, suitcases packed into the back and getting halfway down the road then realising you left something behind that you needed? Well, this is the same prinicple, I suppose. If you decided not to join a union, or you didn't prepare for certain eventualities, you may regret it later on. Just remember to think carefully about your choices. Don't choose one union because they have better freebees. And don't choose a union because your 'friends' chose it. That wouldn't get you very far in the long run. Choose a union that suits you. Everyone is different.

Well, I hope this has helped!!! xD
I certainly do like to type don't I? O_o Didn't realise how much I actually wrote... Oh dear...
Ahaa ^ ^
Well, take care everyone!
'Til next time!

Emily