Community Service Group

What is the Community Service Group?

UNISON now has a brand new group in the South West region - Community - covering all of our members working for charities, housing associations and other voluntary sector organisations. This group ensures that UNISON provides a strong focus and a prominent voice for all of our members working in the community and voluntary sector.

Why does it exist?

UNISON strongly believes that the community and voluntary sector need their own identity and voice within UNISON in order to fight for proper terms and conditions of employment and ensure fair funding from central and local government. It is therefore very important to us that there is strong organisation within the union. We view this as essential to our strategy for the sector. Our aim is to organise members within the sector to give them the knowledge and resources to be advocates so they can campaign and negotiate on behalf of our members.

How does it work?

UNISON has national and regional groups dedicated to overseeing the organisation of members. This may take the form of regular meetings but can also include the use of social media and informal networking. We produce regular e-community newsletters to keep members up to date on developments. Members employed within the sector are eligible to participate in the new structures. We aim to involve members from all employers within the sector and to establish networking and mentoring groups. Nationally we undertake research and offer detailed guidance around bargaining issues. The union regionally and nationally has dedicated organisers who can assist branches and members to get organised and trained.

Organising

In UNISON you are always a member of a branch which brings you together with other employees who do similar kinds of work or face common issues in their workplaces. Members elect workplace stewards and safety reps and vote for branch officers. Every branch is supported by its nearest UNISON regional centre where staff work with elected lay members.