Frequently Asked Questions

These are questions your colleagues have asked about the union.

Who are you? #

We're your unionised colleagues at Skyscanner. All of us are Skyscanner employees. Some of us are representatives or "reps" who have been trained by Prospect to represent you in conversations with Skyscanner.

What is "section 787"? #

Every workplace at Prospect gets a random identifier. Skyscanner's just happened to be a pretty iconic plane model, and we couldn't resist.

Is the union a third party? #

Nope! The union is your colleagues. You are "the union." The union is formed and represented by you and your colleagues.

Who can join the union? #

Any Skyscanner employee in the UK can join.

Does joining the union mean getting 'political'? #

Many trade unions are affiliated with a political party, but Prospect (and Section 787) are not.

Any activity involving people is political to some degree, and organising with your colleagues involves politics — but not party politics. The goal is making Skyscanner better for all.

Do I need to join Prospect? #

You can be a member of as many unions as you'd like, and some of your colleagues are members of multiple unions. To benefit soonest from collective bargaining, you should join Prospect since it's the union with the most members at Skyscanner.

How much does membership cost? #

Prospect membership is a sliding scale based on your income: £25,000pa - £10.85pm £30,000pa - £13.79pm £43,000pa - £17.47pm £44k+ - £20.22pm (the headline number being used)

What does the membership fee go towards? #

Union membership is like an insurance policy for work. For full details on the benefits see here: https://prospect.org.uk Prospect membership also gives the advantage of membership of Section 787, including our slack space and the ability to train as, stand to be, and select our reps.

Do I need to be a union member to vote for union recognition? Would union recognition force me to be a member? #

No! We obviously think that union membership is worth it, otherwise we wouldn't have signed up. But there's no need to join in order to vote for recognition, and no one has to sign up if they don't want to. Increased union membership benefits everyone in terms of wages and productivity, including non-members.

I'm a manager, is this for me? #

Absolutely, you are very welcome. We have many managers as members.

I'm on a work visa. Can I join? #

Yes! We have members who are on work visas, and you have the right to join a union in the UK.

What's a rep? #

A “rep” or “representative” is one of your colleagues who has volunteered to represent you and other members in conversations with Prospect and Skyscanner. Reps also represent you in negotiations with Skyscanner, and are trained and supported by Prospect.

Recognition #

What is recognition? #

Recognition is when an employer agrees that a trade union can represent and negotiate on behalf of a group of workers in a workplace. It's the status that allows you to collectively bargain, together, with Skyscanner. Recognition allows you to negotiate together over pay, holiday, hours, and anything else you and your colleagues agree to include.

How do I know if I'm in the proposed bargaining unit? #

If your payslip says “Skyscanner Technology Limited” or Workday lists “Skyscanner Technology Limited” as your company, and your level is "I" or below you would be in the proposed bargaining unit.

What happens if I am not a union member? Do I still benefit? #

As a member of the bargaining unit, yes, you would benefit. Recognition empowers the union to negotiate on behalf of the whole bargaining unit. However, there are downsides to not being a member. First, the union's negotiating position is stronger with a higher membership. Also, you would not be able to get direct union support yourself.

What if I'm not in the bargaining unit? #

If you're a Skyscanner employee in the UK you should still join. The organisers working on the current bargaining unit can help you organise your colleagues.

What happens if we vote no? #

Under the agreement if there is a "no" vote to recognition then there can be no new ballot for three years. This is our only chance for union recognition before then. By contrast a "yes" vote lasts one year, after which Skyscanner and Section 787 review whether the agreement is working.