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How to become a UNISON workplace representative

Any group of members can elect a workplace representative. This group is known as the representative's constituency.

Stewards
Members should arrange a meeting or postal ballot to elect their steward. Proper notice should be given so that members have the opportunity to be nominated.
It is best to contact the branch for guidance. Stewards should be elected annually, preferably before the branch annual general meeting.

Health and safety representatives
Safety representatives are appointed by UNISON, not the employer. Your UNISON branch will decide on the arrangements.
Once a safety representative is appointed, the employer must be notified in writing of that appointment.

Workplace contacts
Members do not need to hold an election but should find some way of agreeing on who the contact should be.
Stewards may wish to encourage a colleague to become a contact, either to assist with stewards' work or to encourage them to become more active at a later date.

Notify the branch
In all cases, members must notify the branch secretary of the new workplace representative so that they can be offered training, be placed on mailing lists and, in the case of stewards and safety representatives, be issued with appropriate credentials.

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Branch development


Branch Development and Organising Toolkit: an overview

The Branch Development and Organising Toolkit is a set of short planning modules that can help branches map their branch organisation and membership. It will also assist them in developing their branches and recruiting and organising new members and activists.

Organising around environmental issues

17 November 2008
This module has been developed to enable branches to organise and campaign around environmental issues.
Link to a PDF document on this siteOrganising around environmental issues
 

Organising for recognition: branch toolkit module

17 November 2008
This module will enable branches to plan recruitment and organising activity for members and potential members in the community and voluntary sector and in the private sector.
Link to a PDF document on this siteOrganising for recognition: branch toolkit module
 

Core module: organising your branch

17 November 2008
This is the core module of the Branch Development and Organising Toolkit. It has been developed for use by individual branches. Working through the module will enable a branch to complete its branch development and organising plan.
Link to a PDF document on this siteCore module: organising your branch
 

Organising around health and safety

17 November 2008
This document has been developed to enable branches to organise and campaign around health and safety issues.
Link to a PDF document on this siteOrganising around health and safety
 

Organising for learning

17 November 2008
This document has been developed to enable branches to plan recruitment and organising activity around the learning agenda.
Link to a PDF document on this siteOrganising for learning
 

Branch development toolkit - Organising around race equality

26 August 2008
Enables the branch to map involvement from black and minority ethnic communities in the workplace and the branch. To plan organising activity to promote race equality and to encourage involvement in UNISON of black and minority ethnic workers.
Link to a PDF document on this siteBranch development toolkit - Organising around race equality
 

ADVICE FOR ACTIVISTS
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