Why get involved?

Because you want to make a difference

UNISON is a partnership of members and paid officials, but there's no getting away from the fact that it can only work effectively with voluntary effort from members. That means members just like yourself playing their part. But that doesn't mean becoming an obsessive trade unionist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We need ordinary members who want to get things done, who are ready to work with other members on common issues, and who want to make a positive change in people's everyday lives.

Because you've got something to say

We've all got opinions and ideas on what happens at work and in our lives outside work, but we don't often get the chance to share them and really feel we make a difference. Getting involved means you get to speak out on behalf of members just like you on issues such as:

• your workplace, working conditions, and pay;
• issues in the wider world;
• how the union works.

Because you want to develop your skills and knowledge

Being involved in UNISON is like any other life experience - an opportunity to learn and to grow. And the skills you learn, and the knowledge you pick up are transferable to your work or private life. This can help with both personal development and career development. Similarly there may be skills and/or knowledge you already have that you want to practise. Very often you can find an outlet for these through involvement in UNISON.

Such skills might include:

• Communication - verbal and written
• Interpersonal - empathising, listening, advising, persuading, leading
• Problem-solving - analysing, thinking creatively
• IT - record-keeping, creating publicity, accounts

UNISON can help you acquire these skills through training, teamwork, and support. (Supporting young members').

Here's what one of our young member activists has to say: "No-one is born with the confidence and abilities to be a representative, organiser, or leader. These are life skills - essential if we are to live rounded lives that help us towards our potential as human beings. They are also work skills that can provide us with valuable experience for our chosen fields of expertise. I didn't start out with this all hard-wired into me. I learned it along the way - the same way everyone else does. My confidence grew with my knowledge. Banging the table and shouting at a manager is not how things are done these days. It's much more about problem-solving and working with people."

Want to get involved now? See our 'Play your part' page. (Play your part)