HOW TO JOIN UNISON
Q. AM I ELIGIBLE TO JOIN UNISON
If you work in the public sector then it is more than likely that UNISON is the right trade union for you. UNISON Walsall General Branch covers local government and not health. So for example this branch would cover employees of the council, school support staff, FE college support staff, university support staff and those people employed by private, voluntary or community sector in the provision of public services. If you are unsure if you fall into our scope of membership then please contact the branch.
HOW DO I JOIN UNISON?
The most common way to join UNISON is by completing an application form. The application form should be sent to the branch office to be processed and you would normally pay your subscriptions via deductions from your salary. Alternatively you can join online. You will need to enter various details but you can only pay by direct debit if you join online. Please visit the national website by clicking here to join online or download an application form.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JOIN?
The subscriptions are on a sliding scale so you only pay what you can afford based on your salary. Payments are made monthly and are normally made via deductions from your salary or by direct debit. For a full list of subscription rates please click here
I WANT TO JOIN UNISON AND PAY BY DEDUCTIONS FROM MY SALARY.
Please download an application form and complete it in full and retun to the branch at UNISON Walsall General Branch, Room 16b Walsall Town Hall, Walsall, WS1 1TW. Please visit the national website by clicking here to download an application form.
I WANT TO JOIN UNISON AND PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT.
The easiest way to do this is to join online by clicking here..
CAN I JUST JOIN UNISON IF AND WHEN IÂ HAVE A PROBLEM?
You will need to have been a member for at least four weeks to qualify for some of our benefits and help. This means that we cannot represent a very new member and even if we did so, if the matter were to escalate to the extent that a union official (or solicitor) needed to become involved, the following rule is strictly applied. Section K 2 (i) of the UNISON Rule Book says "The member must have been in membership of the union for at least 4 weeks prior to the incident or occurrence that leads to her/him seeking legal assistance from the Union.". The rule also applies to members who have 4 weeks, or more, arrears of subscriptions.
BECOME A UNISON STEWARD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Contact the branch for more information and the training and support you will received to carry out this role.
Two of the key roles are organising and recruiting new members. Organising means working with members to solve problems together, listening to members’ views, and promoting democracy and participation. Recruiting is vital because greater the proportion of workers who are members of UNISON, the stronger we are when it comes to having our voice heard, and the more likely we are to win campaigns.
Our activist roles are vital to us, and UNISON will provide you with all the training you need. In most workplaces you have the right to paid time off for this training, and crèches are usually available. UNISON reps receive complete support from the union, and there is even a dedicated online space called the Organising Space
supporting and advising members on workplace issues
representing members
be the first and main point of contact for members with the union
recruit new members
work with members to establish an organised workplace
support and advise members on workplace issues
act as a spokesperson for the members they represent and for
the branch
represent members with the employer, dependent on their
experience and confidence