Want to get involved?

As a UNISON member you’re always part of your local UNISON branch. It’s your main source of advice and support and the most important link between the union and members like yourself.

A branch is made up of all its members. Some members are elected by their workforce to play different roles, including:

Branch Chair
Someone who facilitates branch and committee meetings (some are also senior negotiators).

Branch Secretary
The main contact person with the wider union who handles branch admin (may also be senior negotiators).

Branch Treasurer
Responsible for managing branch finances, including keeping accounts.

Branch Young Members Officer
Advises and helps recruit young members while ensuring their voices have an influence across the union.

Equalities Officers
Work on equal rights issues including sex, race, disability and lesbian and gay issues (there may be up to four per branch).

Branch Education Co-ordinator
Helps arrange training courses and education programmes for members, stewards, health and safety reps and branch officers.

Branch Communications Officers
Co-ordinates branch newsletters, websites and other media.

Branch International Officers
Develop and lead on international solidarity activities including campaigns, twinning’s and support for projects abroad.

Retired Members Officer
Supports UNISON retired members by campaigning on their behalf and organising local activities.

Have you ever thought of becoming Steward?

 What does a UNISON steward do?

As a steward you can:

• Talk to, recruit and organise members around workplace issues
• Talk to members about workplace problems, advice them and keep them informed of latest developments
• Represent members in your workplace
• Be involved in how your branch and union is run.

 Will I have to negotiate with my employer?

It helps if stewards go to meetings with employers – it’s usually the best way to talk to them! But you won’t be forced to do anything you don’t want to do and we will offer you training and backup.

Some stewards may be involved in local negotiations or in grievance or disciplinary cases – with training and support from the union. Senior stewards or convenors often take part in negotiations about pay and conditions with employers.

What if I’m worried I can’t do everything?

Different stewards get involved in different activities depending on experience, skills and time factors.

UNISON is very much in favour of job sharing for stewards. This way you can spread the load, work together and support each other. Job sharing should be agreed with your branch.

UNISON workplace contacts play different support roles in the workplace, including:

• Making sure members receive union and other important information
• Helping groups of members to organise effectively
• Maintaining contact between members and the union where there is an elected steward
• Supporting other activists such as stewards and health and safety reps

Workplace contacts have a more informal role than stewards or safety representatives. They can also operate as part of a network supporting an elected steward.

A UNISON steward is an elected rep who helps organise, recruit and represent members in their workplace.

Stewards are the backbone of UNISON. Without stewards there would be no one there to act as the link between members and the union and to organise and support people in the workplace.

For more information:

Contact us