Why Join?
Why Join?
You may be asking yourself, what is the point in paying money every month to a trade union - What do they do?
A lot of the work of UNISON is done 'behind-the-scenes' and we hope to keep you informed of a lot of that work through this website.
The money that UNISON receives from its members is split between the branch and the national office.
‘4 Week Rule’: Please note that if you have a pre-existing issue when joining UNISON, or if your issue has arisen within the first 4 weeks of your membership, then you are entitled to brief advice only. We will be unable to provide further representation in regard to this issue at any stage of membership.
Reasons to join a union:
You get paid more - UNISON has a long history of negotiating better pay deals for its members (Average earnings are generally 8% higher in unionised workplaces).
Protecting public services - UNISON has lobbied government and campaigned to save public services going private and protected those members whose workplace has been privatised from cuts in pay and conditions of work.
You are less likely to be discriminated against - UNISON campaigns for tougher laws to make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, disability or sexual orientation.
Protection and legal help in disciplinaries and grievances - Union members are only half as likely to be sacked as non-members.
You have a voice in your workplace - UNISON branch officers work tirelessly to get better conditions of work and make sure your voice is heard by management when any major changes are made.
You are less likely to get hurt at work - UNISON has thousands of health and safety reps making sure that employers meet their legal obligations on workplace health and safety.
You are more likely to get equal pay - UNISON is battling to bring women's pay level with men's and has successfully taken a number of cases to court on behalf of members.
Better Parental and Maternity leave - UNISON-protected workplaces generally have better policies on maternity and parental leave.
More Holiday - UNISON has won extra leave for many of its members.