An Introduction to the Community & Voluntary Organisations Branch

UNISON is Britain's largest trade union representing a wide range of workers employed in local government, the health service and private sector. It has over 62,000 members employed in the voluntary sector. In addition to its campaigning work it provides a range of benefits to members such as:

Five Good Reasons

to Join Unison

1. Pay

Staff in workplaces where a union is recognised are paid on average 6% more than those in companies where there is no union representation.

2. Holidays

Staff in workplaces where a union is recognised typically have five days more leave than in companies where there is no union representation.

3. Health and Safety

Workplaces where trade unions are recognised have 50% fewer accidents recorded. UNISON will
train all your organisation’s safety reps to a high standard, and is committed to eliminating accidents and ill health resulting from work.

4. Job Security

According to Government figures, union members are less likely to lose their jobs than non-members. UNISON is determined to resist redundancies where they are not necessary, we will negotiate the best possible compensation where redundancies are unavoidable.

5. Collective and Individual Representation

UNISON will train all your
organisation’s workplace
representatives to deal with a wide range of problems experienced by people in their jobs. Experienced professional full-time officers support workplace reps.

• Confidential welfare services
for you and your dependents in
difficult times
• Excellent legal services
including free help with work
problems and legal support for
members and their families
• Pensions advice
• UNISON direct hotline for help
and advice on workplace issues
• Online employment and
workplace advice
• Education and training advice
and courses, leading to
vocational and professional
qualifications
• Cash benefits for accidents and
injuries at work
• A colour magazine sent to your
home four times a year, a
fortnightly newspaper for our

stewards

and activists and a full
range of publicity
• Special deals on everything
from computers, tax returns,
holidays, mortgages, car
breakdown services, insurance
and credit cards
• Our own holiday centre for
members and families at the
Devon seaside

For more Information or a Membership form
If you would like to find out more
about membership, then do not
hesitate to get in touch with your
steward or the branch office. Our
friendly staff can be contacted at
Suite 103, Curtain House, 134 -
146 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3AR.

Tel: 020 7729 4001 / 5001
Tel: 020 7684 0117
Email: info@unisonvob.co.uk

The Community & Voluntary Organisations Branch
The Branch was set up to represent staff in small and medium sized charities based in London. Our membership and services have grown very year since the branch was formed. We now have 3,000 members in over 650 charities and community based organisations. We have negotiated recognition agreements with a number of them.

We are now able to provide the following services in addition to those provided by the national union:

• Professional advice and support from our own full-time staff on all grievances and disciplinary matters
• An extensive network of local representatives negotiating on behalf of members. They are supported by an induction and training programme for new stewards which is second to none
• A guaranteed 24 hour response time to any telephone enquiry
• A community & voluntary sector specific newsletter in addition to the national magazine
• Our own website which is regularly updated.

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