♡ UNISON: it brought me out of my shell

Stacy Davis, customer services adviser

Is it legal for foxes to roam the streets at night? That was the strangest question I’ve ever had at my job as a customer services adviser at Cambridge city council.

I spend my days talking to members of the public on the phone, answering their queries on environmental issues, from planning and environmental health to housing repairs like a broken toilet.

You don’t know what you’re getting from one day to the next, and I enjoy that. I told that person that it’s perfectly legal for foxes to roam the street at night; it’s an urban area so they may be looking for food. Just don’t approach because they may attack. Sometimes we put the funniest quotes on the wall to motivate ourselves.

I’ve been a member of UNISON for about three years. The best thing about being involved is the in-work support that you get if you need it. I have a disability and I’ve had a lot of time off sick sporadically which led to me having a review. I brought a steward in with me for moral support. If I weren’t a member I wouldn’t have got that.

Being involved with UNISON has built up my confidence: three years ago I wouldn’t have sat and talked to you, I was too shy.

Now, I’ve stood up and spoken at conferences, I’m a steward, a young members officer and disabled members officer in my branch, and I’m chair of the young members committee in my region. It’s brought me out of my shell a lot more and I wouldn’t have had that without the union.

UNISON improves things for everyone, not just members. My local tourist information office is an old marble building that got really hot. My branch managed to get air conditioning installed which made it better for the staff and the public.

Trade unions are a good thing because of the employee support and protection. Unions are fighting for their members and non-members.