UNISON members in West Norfolk have a whole new building offering learning and union support, following the opening of a new joint resource centre in King’s Lynn.
The centre is on the site of a former social club at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the city and is a joint venture between the union branch at the hospital, six other UNISON branches and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Trust.
It was formally opened today by UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis and trust chief executive Dorothy Hosein (pictured above).
“Resource centres like this one are invaluable to the work of local branches and activists, and provide a visible representation of the work that we do standing up for UNISON members,” said Mr Prentis.
The trust and UNISON branch have a proud history of joint work on workplace learning, and the centre will provide a dedicated venue to continue that work.
It was also provide members of other union branches in the area with a clearly marked UNISON presence on a main road, where they can get access to organising, administrative and representational support.
As a press release from the trust put it: “UNISON members from local authority and other emergency services will now be able to get advice and support from union representatives.”
The opening of the centre marks the culmination of years of work by branch secretary – and UNISON eastern regional convenor – Darren Barber (pictured speaking at the ceremony).
“This new centre means we can offer a personal service to the fragmented staff within the NHS, local government and emergency services,” he said.
“We can also offer face-to-face contact to help ease concerned members … and it provides a golden opportunity to help with training and development.”
