Its workforce is its most valuable asset with employees providing essential quality services on a shoe string budget, often not knowing if they will still be in the job in six months time, but believing in what they’re doing.
But also in the community and voluntary sector, workers face issues such as short term contracts, harassment, low pay, inequality, bullying, poor working conditions and pension benefits are few and far between.
In other sectors unions provide a mechanism which offers support and representation to workers. It doesn’t always work perfectly, but at least the opportunity is there.
In the community and voluntary sector only 5 to 10% of the workers are in a union. Compare this to 40% of the workers in the Transport and Communication sector, 57% of workers in Health, 73% of workers in Public Administration and 74% of workers in Education.
This means that when you’re a worker in the community and voluntary sector, and you have a problem at work, you’re on your own.
UNISON is Northern Ireland's leading trade union, representing over 30,000 workers delivering essential public services in areas such as health; social services; education; local government; private companies providing public services; and the community and voluntary sector.
UNISON wants to increase its membership in the community and voluntary sector, so that together, through collective action, we can improve working conditions, promote equality, lobby governments and Europe for increased long term funding and ensure our members have an effective voice at work and in the community. It’s time to join the union.
By joining the UNISON Community and Voluntary Branch you will be part of a movement which enjoys
• Free advice and representation on all matters affecting your employment – whether it be a grievance, disciplinary or simply a work related query
• Free legal advice and representation on matters inside and outside of work (subject to 13 qualifying weeks membership and rules of the union)
• Free access to our wide education curriculum which includes activist training and further education courses
• Direct representation and skills training on bargaining and negotiating with your employer
• Access to UNISON welfare, a charitable organisation dedicated to helping UNISON members experiencing financial, domestic or other problems outside of work
• Being part of an organisation of more than 1.3 million members dedicated to raising the profile and working on issues common to all workers in our sector.
If you are an employee in the community and voluntary sector and interested in joining UNISON, please contact Pauline Kersten for further details.
