Being a UNISON member brings many benefits. As a branch we strive to provide the best support to our members. This page provides infographics on how that support is carried out.
As a member with an issue, you are most likely to be in contact with a workplace representative or steward. They in turn can seek support from the branch committee, who can refer to our Regional officers to ensure that members ultimately get the right support and advice.
If you work in Sussex Partnership, our stewards and health and safety reps provide feedback and negotiate on behalf of members at local staff side and management meetings. This is especially important with collective issues such as training access, short staffing or case loads.
If the issues can’t be resolved locally or have a Trust wide impact, we can raise them in our meetings with senior Trust management.
If you have an individual concern such as a flexible working request or sickness absence issue, a steward can provide support at any formal meeting between you and your manager.
Stewards understand workforce policies and can help guide you through a process. All of our stewards are trained in representing members and will use their experience and knowledge to help you negotiate the best possible outcome.
If you work in the third sector and require support, we will normally hire an experienced independent case worker to represent you. Alternatively, depending on the issue, we can also refer the case on to an officer from South East Region.
Being a rep or a steward is a highly rewarding role. For more information on these important roles follow the link on our national website: www.unison.org.uk/get-involved/in-your-workplace/official-activist-roles/
If you are then interested in finding out more about being an activist in our branch, please drop us a line.