Become A Rep Or Workplace Contact
The role of a workplace contact or Rep/Steward is essential to the effectiveness and strength of our branch. The main thing to remember is that the level of involvement and responsibility is up to you, and you will have lots of support from the branch.
A Workplace contact is a good way to start being involved in your union and has a few simple but key responsibilities:
§ Share information with colleagues and other UNISON members
§ Keep notice boards up to date with UNISON information
§ Have regular conversations with members in the workplace
§ Support people looking to join UNISON
“The support I received from my Rep was brilliant. She was supportive, empathetic, and understanding of my concerns, supporting me throughout the process. She encouraged me to stick up for myself and gave excellent advice – just fantastic!”
Workplace Reps/Stewards have a real impact on the wellbeing, pay and conditions of the branch’s membership, and we are very fortunate to have nearly 100 Reps across all of the workplaces and employers we cover. Where we have a Facilities Agreement with an employer, you should also get reasonable time off to undertake your union duties.
From offering informal advice, to representing members at a formal meeting, being a Workplace Rep/Steward is a hugely rewarding role:
§ Be the first point of contact for members in a workplace
§ Talk to members about the union
§ Talk to staff about their issues
§ Offer advice on issues at work
§ Represent members in cases (including at disciplinary and grievance hearings).
§ Campaign for better working conditions
§ Recruit and organise new members
§ Encourage more members to get active in UNISON
§ Raise your members’ issues with the branch.
Find out other ways to get involved like becoming an officer