No record of Lyndsey's Unison dues

Jun 15 2008 by Mr Justice, Sunday Sun

YOU can’t touch Lyndsey Cartwright, she’s part of the union, or is she?

Lyndsey told me how she paid her subs to Unison for six years only to discover that she did not have a membership number.

She claims she missed out on special offers, including a cheaper mortgage, because she did not receive information and newsletters.

And she wants her money returned after the error came to light.

Promotional assistant Lyndsey said: “I began working for a local council six years ago. I immediately joined Unison and made monthly payments of £9.70 but I was never given a membership number.

“Recently, I needed to find the number because I could qualify for a discount on a mortgage. I rang the branch, spoke to three different people, and none of them could find my name or membership details.

“They informed me I was not on their records even though they had been taking my money.”

Lyndsey, 27, of Peterlee, County Durham, asked for a refund. She said: “Their response was, if I needed their services, they would have helped me. I only have their word for that. It’s completely hypothetical.”

I asked Linda Hoffman, regional manager of Unison Northern Region, for an explanation.

She admitted the union has messed up over Lyndsey’s forms. She said: “I have checked Lyndsey’s records and it is correct to say that due to an administrative error she was not issued with a membership number when she joined the union in June 2002.

“Once she did make us aware of that fact we rectified the situation immediately.

“By virtue of the fact that she has been paying subscriptions to us over that period she always has been a member. Had she requested any service from Unison during that period she would have received help and support or a service as appropriate.

“Lyndsey’s proof of membership is documented on her monthly pay slip and on the sheet Unison receives from the employer on a regular basis.

“Where Lyndsey has lost out is that she has not received the quarterly magazine which Unison mails to members at their home address.

“I would be more than happy to see if I can get back numbers of these.”