Activist Hub

You’ve been elected as a UNISON rep or activist – now what? Whilst you’re waiting for your training, there is plenty that you can do in your workplace to get started.

• Make yourself known as the new workplace representative
  • Introduce yourself to colleagues, and let them know that you are the new workplace rep. If there’s a noticeboard in your workplace, have a poster with your details and how members can contact you
  • Recruit your colleagues to be part of the union – the more of us there are, the stronger we are and the more likely we are to make a difference. They can join UNISON online here or you can obtain paper membership forms from your branch or the UNISON catalogue.
  • Identify the workplace issues important to your fellow UNISON members and colleagues. Could you run a survey or arrange a meeting with the members in your workplace?
  • Can you organise an event or initiative to coincide with one of UNISON’s campaigns? Click here to view the current regional campaigns. Click here to view the current national campaigns. Ideas for how you can participate in each any of the campaigns can be found on each campaign page.

UNISON has a variety of learning opportunities for both members and activists, regionally and nationally. Whether you want to learn new skills for development within the union, within your career, or as a hobby, there are a variety of courses and learning opportunities you can take part in.

All activists and reps are also required to complete UNISON’s Data Protection training, which is a short 20-minute e-learning module designed to familiarise yourself with data handling in UNISON and where you should go to for support with data protection queries and what to do in the scenario of a data breach or subject access request.

It is a rulebook requirement to complete this training within 6-months of your election, and annually thereafter.

Greater London regional courses

UNISON College – national courses

Member learning in UNISON

E-learning modules – including the data protection training

UNISON is proud to be a member-led union. Democracy is central to our structure and our achievements have been won as a representative, democratic union where everyone has an equal voice.

Find out about UNISON’s Regional Democracy here

UNISON supports networks of self-organised groups (SOGs) in branches and regions across the union. Our SOGs campaign for equality in the workplace and for improvements to legislation in workplaces and the wider community. UNISON has SOGs for;

• Women members
• Black members
• Disabled members
• LGBT+ members

We also have additional equality groups for young members and retired members.

To find out how to get involved in either the SOGs or equality groups, click the links above.

Most UNISON branch officers and reps will negotiate with employers at some point. It is how we protect and promote the interests of UNISON members and create fairness and equality at work.

Find out more about bargaining and negotiating as a UNISON activist

Bargaining guide database

Organising guides and handbooks

UNISON has a variety of materials available to order for campaigning and recruitment initiatives in your branch.

You can order posters, leaflets and guides through the UNISON catalogue here.

For promotional merchandise, you can order through TC-branding here

For placards and flags, you can order these items by emailing ian@bluecreation.co.uk

• Utilise London’s Branch Planner – designed so your branch can consider activities and actions in line with key union dates and deadlines, and all the key information you need is in one place – such as deadlines for conferences, regional Self-Organised Group (SOG) AGMs, key contacts and much more.

  In addition, the planner includes equality and awareness days, allowing your branch to plan initiatives and activities to coincide. The planner will be updated periodically throughout the year as more dates are confirmed, so continue to check back for updates. Click here to view the planner

Key forms for branch officers and reps

Case form

Streamlined case form

Membership form (Direct Debit)

Membership form (DOCAS)

Workplace representative nomination form

Notification of workplace representative form

Developing and supporting UNISON reps guide

Developing and supporting activists guide

Developing and supporting workplace contacts guide

– UNISON rulebook

– Code of Good Branch Practice

– Regional rulebook

– Stewards’ handbook

– Communications guide

– Online Conference System guide

– Democracy in UNISON guide

– Organising for equality guidelines of self-organisation

– Member representation guide

– Privacy and data protection handbook