Being a Workplace Rep

UNISON has three types of Workplace Representative
•Steward
•Health & Safety Rep
•Workplace Contact / Postbox

STEWARDS are elected representatives whose role includes organising, recruiting and representing members. They are involved in how the branch is run, and are the first point of contact and the most important link between members and the union. As a steward you have the right to paid time off for:-

•your training
•recruit and organise new members
•support and advise members
•represent members with employer, and
•some other UNISON work.

As a HEALTH & SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE you have the right to:-

•paid time off to carry out the role and undergo training
•raise issues which affect the health and safety of members
•carry out workplace safety inspections
•investigate any potential hazards, complaints by members and
•investigate causes of accidents, dangerous occurrences and diseases.

WORKPLACE CONTACTS/POSTBOXES do not have the same rights as stewards but are an important part of making a branch work well. They have several different roles and may:-

•distribute information
•support a steward
•carry out some of the tasks normally undertaken by a steward
•liase with members
Being a workplace contact is an excellent role for someone who is interested in becoming a steward or rep, but would like to find out more about what is involved.

They all come down to the same thing -
You're helping people solve their problems
you're learning new skills and
you're broadening your CV!
If you'd like to find out more, please get in touch with any Workplace Rep. or call us on 01752 227687 or E-mail us
We're always happy to talk to members, especially potential Stewards and Reps!
 
Taking the next step....
Any UNISON member can put themselves forward as a UNISON Workplace Steward or Rep. and it's easy :-
Get a nomination form from your steward.
Fill it in
Send it to Unison 1st floor 190 Armada way Plymouth PL1 1LD
Your nomination will be considered at the next Branch Meeting.
We'll phone you with the result.
If you're successful, you've now become a Rep, and we'll send you on the next available training course.
This way you've not just joined UNISON, you've joined in!
Welcome to the team!