♡ UNISON: the best thing about it is when you get to make a difference

Joe Kirwin, 25, project worker for a homeless charity

I first got involved with UNISON because I had a workplace issue; I was accused of stealing something from the organisation I used to work at. Obviously this caused me a lot of stress and worry and the accusation had other implications – I was the key holder and I did the petty cash. Basically it had the potential to really affect my career.

They made an accusation and started an investigation all without any evidence, so I contacted my union rep for advice. And then this supposedly stolen item turned up in the manager’s home. The manager said “sorry, I forgot I’d taken it home.”

I think it was a genuine mistake; the person was a very new manager and I think they thought they were doing everything by the book. They hadn’t realised the stress and worry that it was causing me.

When I’d contacted my union for advice they really reassured me, they gave me great advice and they said they’d send someone along to help me. That made me think I could get a bit more involved with UNISON. The whole issue also inspired me to go and look for a different job, and I now have a job I enjoy even more, so in the end it actually worked out really well.

I was the only union member when I started at this job and there used to be a lot of suspicion and rumours going around about what was happening with contracts, which affect people’s jobs, and other things.

Now that lots of us are union members we have a staff forum, and people feel more comfortable about asking questions. We’ve got better communication with managers and I believe the union has actually changed our workplace environment. People are more involved in the process and when people know what’s happening to their jobs they’re happier and feel like they have more power over their lives.

There are people there who could have left to get promotions elsewhere but they say they don’t want to leave because they like the workplace.

I’m a workplace steward now and the best thing about it is when you get to make a difference – when you get to make someone’s life a little better, when you can remove someone’s stress, because you’ve been able to help them, in no matter how small a way. I know that sounds really cheesy but it’s true.

As told to Rosa Ellis.