Anna Bluston, Disability Equality Officer
My name is Anna and I work as a team secretary in the Learning Disabilities Team in West Sussex.
UNISON’s priorities on disability are led by the union’s own disabled members. We help disabled members by fighting discrimination and campaigning and organising at workplace, regional and national levels. As an disability equality officer I look to support members and represent the branch in disability related matters.
“We help disabled members by fighting discrimination and campaigning and organising at workplace, regional and national levels”
I am on Trust’s staff Disability Network and would encourage other disabled employees to get involved. To find out more, be placed on the mailing list, receive meeting invitations, contact DSN@spft.nhs.uk or email me at anna.bluston@spft.nhs.uk and I can do it for you.
I am available to discuss any equalities issue, anything to do with your disability in the workplace and am also keen to learn of success stories too, including examples of best practice.
Finally, we don’t ask UNISON members if they identify as disabled when they join, but I am interested to see if members wish to organise and meet. If you would like to be part of a branch disabled members group, again, please email me.
John Hewitt, Treasurer, Membership Officer, Labour Link Officer
Nick McMaster, Branch Secretary, Lead Steward (B&H) Communications Officer
My name Nick and I have been Branch Secretary for a number of years now, alongside my substantive role in the Mill View Inpatient Occupational Therapy Team as Therapeutic Activities Lead.
I have worked in the Trust for over 30 years and have been a UNISON activist for 20. As a trade unionist I believe our role is to support members to work to live. I believe the workplace should be safe, our work satisfactory and our pay fair so we can perform to the best of our ability and enjoy life away from work.
I believe our branch is also only as strong as our members, so would ask you what you can do to support the branch. We are not a service, but do serve. The more activists we have the broader the skills, experience and knowledge we have in the branch, meaning we become more effective in negotiating on behalf of our members and defending their interests. So if you are reading this page, please do get in touch.
Other officers
Peter Atkinson, Lead Steward and Assistant Branch Secretary, West Sussex
John Ottley, Lead Steward and Assistant Branch Secretary, East Sussex
Phil Bateman, Environmental Officer
Anne-Marie Ricketts, Welfare Officer