The Benefits of UNISON membership

No 1 – representation

Every employee facing disciplinary action is entitled to be represented or accompanied at the disciplinary hearing.

A member of staff in the Operations section has recently been disciplined for gross misconduct, resulting in the employee being dismissed.

The offence related to using council property without proper authorisation.

At the disciplinary hearing the employee, not being a member of a trade union, was represented by …yes, his mother.  Hardly the best person to have as your representative – after all, how would she know if the proper procedures were followed and the employee treated fairly under the law ?

 The employee concerned wishes to appeal, but will have to employ a solicitor at his own cost to do so effectively. Not cheap – he can probably expect to pay around £400 for this service.

All UNISON members on the other hand, have access to either workplace stewards, branch officials or even fulltime union officials as required by the seriousness of the circumstances. And, of course, the best employment-related legal advice in the world.

 And all paid for by their subscriptions.

Dozens of Mid Devon UNISON members have been represented in this way, and no UNISON member has ever been dismissed in Mid Devon. Coincidence ? I doubt it.

 UNISON – you know it makes sense !