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Why should I
join UNISON?
Because together we're stronger!
With more than 1.3 million members working across
the public services, being part of UNISON means you
have the full weight of Britain's biggest public
sector trade
union behind you.
We have more workplace reps than any other union in
the country - backed up by experienced full-time
regional and national officers.
UNISON offers a raft of unrivalled benefits
including legal protection, welfare services,
pensions advice, education and training, health and
safety guidance, special deals on holidays and
insurance and a hotline for help and advice on
workplace issues, plus we are the only union
in the LAS that has set up a dedicated web site to
keep it's members informed.
You can join UNISON for as little as £1.30 per
month.
Click here to read more about UNISON's benefits and
successes. |
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How do I
Join?
There are a
number of ways to join UNISON. The easiest and best
way is to speak to your local rep who will give you
a form to fill in and can assist you. To find out
the name of your local steward
click here. If you don't have a local UNISON rep
or you are unable to locate them, then simply
download an application form from this site, fill it
in and send it to:
Eric Roberts
UNISON Branch Secretary
Waterloo HQ |
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10
Good Reasons to Join |
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1. GET HELP IF YOU HAVE A
PROBLEM AT WORK
If you feel you’ve not been treated fairly, or are
facing difficulties at work, ask your local UNISON
branch for advice. If you’re facing a disciplinary
hearing or need support at work, we can help. Our
local reps draw on the combined knowledge and
experience of the whole of UNISON. We can work with
you to find a solution |
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2. HAVE A SAY IN HOW TO
IMPROVE THINGS IN YOUR WORKPLACE
UNISON is also there to try to make work a better
place. If you have ideas about how to improve work –
from better lighting in the car park to more
flexible working hours – UNISON gives you a voice.
Working together, our collective strength means we
can talk with your employer to try to improve
things. |
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3. MAKE SAVINGS ON TOP OF THIS
Helping you at work is our main concern. But there
are lots of other
benefits
that you are entitled to – cheaper
holidays and insurance, financial services, a
UNISON credit card, and vehicle breakdown cover.
UNISON
Welfare, our own registered charity provides
support for UNISON members and dependants at times
of special need. |
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4. UNDERVALUED?
You earn more in a
unionised workplace.
Average earnings are higher in unionised workplaces.
UNISON stands up for your right as a health worker
to a fair wage and a decent standard of living. If
you’re a member, you’ll get a say in the claims we
put forward to your employers. UNISON have been
instrumental in the
Agenda for Change Negotiations. |
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5. DESERVE A BREAK?
You get more annual leave
in a unionised workplace.
The average trade union member in the UK gets over
25% more annual leave a year, compared with a
non-unionised worker. This is because trade unions
like UNISON have fought for a better working life on
behalf of members. |
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6. AT RISK?
You’re less likely to be
injured in a unionised workplace.
All employers have a legal duty to provide a safe
workplace, but the union has trained
health and safety officers to make sure
employers stick to their legal obligations. If you
get injured at work, UNISON will help you pursue a
case for compensation from your employer. Unions won
over £321 million in compensation for people who
were injured or became ill at work in 2000. UNISON
successfully fought for increased compensation for
nursery nurse, Lisa Potts, who was seriously injured
while protecting children in her care from a
horrific machete attack. “I’d only just become a
member. Funnily enough one of the other nursery
nurses said I should join in case anything ever
happens,” recalls Lisa, who was only 21 when the
attack happened. “I’m so glad I filled in those
forms. Without UNISON it would have been very
difficult for me,
especially legally. I’m always telling people they
should join a union.” We’ve also helped people
involved in more commonplace accidents. Only last
year
Norman Thurrell, an ambulance worker, received
£140,000 as compensation when he lost his job as
the result of a serious back injury. |
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7. MOVING ON?
You get more and better
training
Workers in unionised workplaces are more likely to
receive job-related training. Since 1994 UNISON has
reached agreements with employers to pay for courses
and give paid time off for employees to attend them.
“The UNISON leaflet for the Return to Learn course
came through my door at the right moment,” says
Pauline Jones, an Occupational Therapy (OT)
Assistant in West Yorkshire. “I’ve recently become a
single parent with young children, and now I’m the
main breadwinner I want to set things up for when
they’re older. Eventually I want to take on a Senior
Clinical OT role in the health service. But it’s a
bit daunting going back into studying – I left
school at 16 and I haven’t done any studying since.
This course has given me that bit more confidence.
I’d certainly recommend it to anyone.” As a result
of the Return to Learn course, Pauline now feels
ready to take the next step on her career path. |
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8. TIME TO ADJUST?
You get more maternity
leave, parental and carer leave
Unionised workplaces are much more likely to have
maternity, parental and carer leave policies in
place which are more generous than the statutory
minimum. UNISON can negotiate better leave policies
at local level and help you achieve a better
work/life balance. |
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9. NO RESPECT?
You’re less likely to be
discriminated against in a unionised workplace
UNISON campaigns against all forms of discrimination
– including age, disability, race, gender, sexual
orientation. We have successfully led the campaign
for tougher anti discrimination laws being
introduced in the workplace. |
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10. KEEP THE NHS PUBLIC
UNISON continues to work to protect the NHS and
other public services by campaigning against all
forms of privatisation, including PFIs and
Foundation Hospitals. Our members are the people who
provide the services to the public and we have
succeeded in winning pay and employment protections
for staff transferred to the private sector.
Join us in our campaign to keep services public and
strengthen the voice of public sector workers. |
