Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Your involvement in UNISON doesn’t end when you receive your membership card and pay your subs; it begins here. Without the involvement of UNISON members, we simply wouldn’t be able to function as a union.
Don’t think, though, that becoming a UNISON activist requires decades of experience, or a mountain of free time. With the support – not to mention the training – of your UNISON branch, you can give as much as you are able. We welcome all contributions to the work of the union, and they all make a vital difference in the lives of our members.
There are four main types of representatives:
Workplace Contact
The workplace contact is an ideal role for members who would like to get more involved in UNISON but who do not want to take on the full role of elected steward. Workplace contacts can get involved in a variety of ways, including:
• being a point of contact between members and the branch
• recruiting
• supporting members at work
• distributing information
• keeping notice boards up to date
• helping with branch organisation.
Workplace contacts can support existing stewards or branch officers, or can be established for groups of members who cannot find anyone willing to be a steward. Members who are interested in becoming stewards might want to take up this role first to get some experience before committing themselves further.
You do not need to be elected to be a workplace contact, but the members you are supporting should find some way of agreeing on who the contact should be.
A workplace contact has access to a range of services from UNISON, including:
• regular UNISON mailings
• involvement in branch work
• training
• advice on dealing with workplace problems.
Steward
UNISON aims to have at least one steward in each workplace and department, more in larger departments and where members work shifts.
As a steward your involvement and activity will vary depending on your experience, skills and the time you are able to commit. Your work may range from being a local contact in the workplace to a high level negotiator, but generally you will get involved in some, or all of the following:
• talking to members, distributing information and getting their views
• recruiting and organising
• helping members get advice on workplace problems
• being a spokesperson or representative for your workgroup.
Being an elected steward gives you access to important rights and support, including:
• recognition as a UNISON representative
• training by UNISON and the TUC
• paid time off for training, meetings with members and managers, and some other union work
• access to UNISON advice and information
• mentoring and support from branch and regional officers
• use of employers telephones, e-mail and internal mail by agreement
A steward is elected by the members they represent either at a meeting or by postal ballot. Elections are held annually, before the branch Annual General Meeting which takes place in January.
Health and Safety Representative
We aim to have at least one health and safety representative to cover every workplace where we have members. As a health and safety representative you have a wide range of rights and functions, including:
• making representations, on behalf of members, on health, safety or welfare matters
• inspecting designated workplace areas
• investigating potential hazards, complaints by members and causes of accidents, dangerous occurrences and diseases
• facilities and support in your role as safety representative from your employer
• time off with pay and for training.
Branch Committee
Stewards and H&S Reps can also be elected onto the Branch Committee, which is the leadership of the branch in between AGMs. Any steward can be elected to the Branch Committee by a formally constituted directorate meeting of Stewards, which are held at least annually. All branch officers, convenors and senior stewards are automatically Branch committee members.
Beyond the branch
Activists can also access a wide variety of UNISON conferences, training and events, such as the union’s national conference, service group conferences, sector seminars, self-organised group conferences, and young members weekends. Information about these conferences are sent out on a regular basis.
Want to get started?
Then ask some members to nominate you and contact your branch. To become a steward you’ll need to be properly elected. For other posts just check with the branch office.
What happens once you are elected?
Your branch should notify your UNISON regional office of your details. This will ensure that you are placed on the central mailing list, notified of training courses, sent support materials, and issued with credentials. We will also arrange for you to attend an induction course and start involving you in union activity.
