The TUC has a history of developing analysis and research to inform economic and employment-related issues. In addition to collective consultation, people at risk of redundancy have a right to be consulted individually. Attend meetings to discuss workplace issues relevant to you and your colleagues. These roles are women’s officer, Black member’s officer, disabled members officer and LGBT officer. HN qualifications provide practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Organising means working with members to solve problems together, listening to members’ views, and promoting democracy and participation. The role of a... Organise your colleagues and make them stronger. The role of a workplace contact is to let your branch know what’s happening in your workplace, and to help the union get messages to its members. Young people are the ones who have the most to gain, or lose, from what we do in society now. By continuing to use our website you are consenting to their use. go with (‘accompany’) you to disciplinary or grievance hearings with management. A trade union 'official' has a particular statutory meaning and must either be an 'officer' of a trade union, or someone who has been properly elected or appointed to be a representative of its members. By all accounts from the guys on night shift the rep is just as useless on night shift, useless, lazy and hopeless are the main words used to describe. Every union official should be able to present their credentials - i.e. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. UNISON wants all branches to have a young members rep to ensure that the issues of concern to young workers (under the age of 27) and student members of UNISON are heard and acted on. There are all sorts of reasons. This would help you to get experience and an understanding of the workings of the union at ground level. When contemplating disciplinary action, you should begin by determining whether or not the person is a trade union official. Help your colleagues and other members becoming a UNISON rep or workplace contact. In general, unions represent workers of all levels of education, and this extends to leadership within the union. This guide is for union reps - understanding coronavirus and workplace issues, employer negotiations and how best protect the workforce. Being a UNISON workplace rep gives you the opportunity to: UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY. Local Citizens Advice. To do this you’ll receive expert training and access to help and advice. You could start as a learning rep in a local union office. This is because the range of activities in which a trade union official can participate on behalf of the union is much wider than for an ordinary member. Volunteering. These include: Union reps are entitled to reasonable paid time off from work to perform their union duties (e.g. This is still a new role in many UNISON branches. GMB members come from all walks of life. make a positive difference to people’s work lives. When it comes to the most important skills required to be a union representative, we found that a lot of resumes listed 18.1% of union representatives included contract negotiations, while 10.8% of resumes included collective bargaining agreements, and 9.9% of resumes included contract language. Equality is at the heart of the union. Disseminate relevant information. You can find out more about your rights at work and as member of a union, and how to contact your union on the TUC website at: www.tuc.org.uk. In general, most union stewards perform the following functions: Monitor and enforce the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement (labor contract) to ensure both the firm and union worker are not violating the terms of the agreement. You have the right to be accompanied at meetings with management. As a students' union officer you'll have the chance to represent your peers and bring about the changes you'd like to see. A rep is a trade union member with special responsibilities towards other members. Can I speak to a safety rep in confidence or will they tell management? If you want to help members have a stronger union at work you could think about trying to get elected as a steward. We use cookies on our website to ensure you find the information you need in the simplest way. When union representatives are most attentive to those who are dissatisfied, they are spending time that might be better invested improving performance appraisals, organizing recognition programs, improving workplace safety, and promoting equal employment opportunity. Union members are entitled to unpaid time off to consult their learning representative, as long as they belong to a bargaining unit for which the union is recognised. © Copyright 2021 Privacy policy Discover how standing in student elections can also boost your career. Become involved in other areas such … acting as a link between the workplace and the union. Terms and conditions. If you want to be represented by your trade union, contact them and they’ll arrange an appropriate rep. The Union Reps 1 online course will help new and experienced reps gain or improve the skills and confidence they need to organise and recruit in order to achieve fairness in the workplace. Lower staff turnover means that skills are retained to the benefit of the organisation. This will show everyone that you are a valued member of the SU – and it’ll keep you warm too! During redundancies, union reps will represent their members’ interests and keep members informed of any developments. Reps are the backbone of the trade union movement because they link workers, employers and unions. Each rep is the first point of contact for GMB members and potential members and vital to the union’s work. Trade union officials work to maintain and improve the wages, conditions and employment opportunities of workers in particular occupations or industries. Safety reps will give you confidential help and advice. the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act (TULR(C)A) 1992 and as subsequently amended. It’s up to you to arrange a workplace representative if you want one – your manager or HR won’t do this for you. Workplace stewards are the heart of our trade union. Union reps can also improve the morale of employees and therefore commitment to the enterprise. negotiations with the employer or accompanying colleagues to hearings). If you’re having an issue at work and are a union member, you can approach your rep for advice. There might be a union representative in your workplace, or you might need to contact your local branch. Nothing beats being a union member, but if you are looking for particular guidance on a workplace issue have a look at our workplace guidance. If you’re having trouble at work, your rep should be your first point of contact. The way reps are chosen varies between unions. As a Course Rep you will get a free ARU Students’ Union branded hoodie once you’re trained. It can be a more informal role than a steward or other workplace representative. The Union is totally in the pocket of the Company. Union reps can accompany you in meetings with your managers to ensure fair processes are followed. The job of trade union environmental representative involves representing the workforce in discussions and negotiations regarding the development and implementation of company / employer environmental policies and practices. When new workers join the shop, the steward should be in there pitching the benefits of joining the union. They work in the public and private sectors and it is the members that elect the workplace rep to represent and advise them. Reps have a vital role to play within TSSA and help to build the strength and vitality of the union in their workplace. Whatever your problem at work, from broken central heating to mass redundancies, UNISON workplace representatives (reps), stewards and other activists work together to protect the interest of members. In some unions, trade union officials are elected from the union's membership, but in others they are appointed to paid positions. represent you in negotiations (‘collective bargaining’) over your pay and terms and conditions of employment. It’s a good learning opportunity and starting point to get involved in the union. Branch international officers play a vital role in this. If you want to find out more about being a young members rep, contact your branch. Our representatives work on a voluntary basis to build the Union to ensure that we remain the largest and most effective education union. Becoming a Rep Interested in becoming a rep? Reps are there to: discuss any concerns you have about your employer. TUC's plan outlines a new short-time working scheme designed to prevent mass unemployment and to help firms bounce back after the crisis, Report: A new jobs protection and upskilling plan, The TUC produces a wide range of research and analysis reports. If you’re 27 or under, the role of young members officer is ideal as a way to get more involved in the union. confirmation that they … Become a union representative. Trade Union Representative Skills. Everyone shares responsibility for equality in UNISON, but to be as effective as possible at tackling discrimination we also have dedicated equality reps. If you like working with people, why not become a workplace contact? Information on the various rep roles and the legislation, agreements and practice that empower the rep. UCU has produced a reps handbook to help reps perform their vital role in the workplace The handbook brings together information on the role of the rep, their duties and draws upon many our existing resources for reps, along with materials from our training programme. They engage in collective bargaining on behalf of union members, working to achieve good wages and benefits that the entire employee base can live with. SQA has worked in partnership with trade unions, employers and industry to develop a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Professional Development Awards (PDAs) in Trade Union Representative Skills. The right in law is for an employee to be accompanied by a trade union representative or an official employed by a trade union. UNISON’s stewards are the reason we win campaigns that result in better lives for our members and all working people. UNISON defends public services and fights against austerity around the world, as well as defending human and trade union rights wherever they are under attack. Health and safety representatives care about workers’ safety and campaign for better working conditions. Have I got the right to choose who comes with me to meetings with management? Union reps also provide an important critical feedback loop that good employers utilise to improve processes and procedures that in turn improve productivity. If you want to make sure people are treated fairly at work and do not suffer from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, age, religious beliefs or because they work part time, then you might want to think about becoming a UNISON equality rep. As well as equality reps, some branches have posts for people who are affected by a specific type of discrimination, so that they can organise around addressing it. A trade union “official” includes officers of the union as well as appointed representatives of union members. My boss would rather sack me than manage and was being encouraged by unison. © Trades Union Congress 2021, unless otherwise stated, supporting and advising members on workplace issues, representing workers with problems and accompanying them to grievance or disciplinary hearings. You can find more practical advice on a range of workplace issues in our support for reps section. Become a Rep Usdaw Reps are among the best trained in the Trade Union movement. If the chosen representative is not available on the proposed date for a hearing, the worker does have a statutory right to suggest another one within five working days of the original date. If you’d like your workplace to be one of the safer ones, the key UNISON role of health and safety rep could be the one for you. Ensure that the firm is in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Follow up of previous review in 2018. The representative has to be certified in writing as having experience, or having received training, in acting as a worker's companion at disciplinary and grievance hearings. If you like working with people, why not become a workplace contact? One way to take on more responsibility at work and develop your skills is by becoming a trade union representative. People may: 1. be good communicators and their work colleagues think that they would be good in the role 2. feel strongly about issues and want to change things for the better 3. be dissatisfied with something at work and want to have the rights of a representative to influence members and management 4. be persuaded to have a go by other union reps looking for strengthen the union team 5. be pleased with the outcome of a personal case that was handled by the union and want t… Reps are the backbone of the trade union movement because they link workers, employers and unions. Half of union reps believed their employer valued their role as a rep, but their greater concern was reflected in the fact that only 16% believed the government valued the role. Union learning representatives, often known as ULRs, are passionate about getting people back into learning – whether it is professional qualifications or basic numeracy and literacy skills. Did you know that at workplaces with trade union health and safety committees there are half as many injuries than at workplaces that manage safety without unions or joint arrangements? This contains a browsable list of unions – ideal if you need contact details for your union or a union that you know about. As a health and safety representative, you play a vital role in keeping our members healthy and safe at work. Take on an official role as a rep or steward, Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2019. UNISON reps receive complete support from the union, and there is even a dedicated online space called the Organising Space. Find a union to join If there’s a union at work, you can ask the trade union representative (‘rep’) about joining. Our activist roles are vital to us, and UNISON will provide you with all the training you need. If you want to help members have a stronger union at work you could... Make your workplace safer. My unison 'union rep' was now acting on behalf of my boss who were both trying to get me sacked due to harassment not being managed in the workplace. Yes. Union president responsibilities do require a level of understanding and knowledge that goes beyond what is typically expected of general membership, of course.If you want to become a union leader, you do need to be employed by the company and be an active member of the union. In most workplaces you have the right to paid time off for this training, and crèches are usually available. We challenge discrimination and win equality in the workplace and beyond. Union reps have a wide range of roles in the workplace. Where a union is recognised in a workplace, there is usually an agreement in place, often called a ‘facility agreement’, that sets out the time reps can take off for their union duties, and the facilities they will be provided with, such as access to a private room where members can meet with their rep to discuss their concerns. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. To become a union leader, you do not need to obtain a college degree or other post-secondary education. From the union's viewpoint, the steward's union job description includes building membership. This includes representative duties associated with collective redundancies Union reps have a wide range of roles in the workplace. Learning with UNISON gives members the opportunity to develop and gain new skills professionally and personally. Give you and your colleagues a voice in the union and your Organisation’s decision-making processes. Two of the key roles are organising and recruiting new members. To access the admin area, you will need to setup two-factor authentication (TFA). Are you a rep? Free stuff! What is a rep? They promote UNISON’s international work and values at branch level and are key in encouraging members to take action, getting international issues onto the branch agenda and encouraging an understanding of the importance of international issues to everyone. Take a look at our wide range of resources. Co-ordinates the union’s green and environmental agenda in the branch. QUOTE: “Winning Rep Honours is amazing and it’s a great feeling to be recognised and rewarded.” 7. If you feel you could fulfill this role contact your branch to find out how to go about it. If you’re having trouble at work, your rep should be your first point of contact. (Section 14 of new ACAS Code of Practice). In your workplace Stay in contact with members. Might be a more informal role than a steward, you play a role... 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