UNISON is affiliated to the Labour Party, this ensures that UNISON has powerful voice for public sector workers within the Labour Party. We ensure that our members who chose to be affiliated members (through the Affiliated Political Fund) are able to influence party policy through our branch, regional and national Labour Link structures. The key contact in every UNISON branch is the Branch Labour Link Officer and you will find information on this about how you can get involved.
Get active in politics
Many of our members are already local councillors, members of parliament or active community leaders. If you have ever thought about being more involved in local politics or wish to seek elected office to represent working people then we need you. UNISON South East has set up a network of Labour Link members considering political leadership roles, our aim is to support, educate and train our members so we have more workplace people making key decisions in town halls and in Parliament.
UNISON supports more than 17,000 members working in water companies, the Environment Agency, passenger transport executives, bus companies, the Canal and River Trust, and regional and local airports. Around half of these members work in frontline customer service jobs and the remainder in infrastructure, technical, scientific and maintenance roles. UNISON is the leading union in […]
The Community and Voluntary sector represents workers from organisation including charities, other voluntary-sector organisations, not-for-profit organisations and grant-aided projects and work in a variety of areas including housing and care. The South East Community Forum meets four times a year and focuses on defending pay, sickness absence, health and safety and funding issues, which are […]
UNISON is one of the largest unions in police and the justice system, with more than 50,000 members. The service group welcomes members from the police service, probation service, Child and Family Courts Advisory and Support Service and private companies working in police and probation. The Committee meets four times a year and campaigns on […]
UNISON represents more education staff than any other trade union in the UK. Our 350,000 members in education give us a powerful voice to campaign against inequalities, challenge unfair pay practices and speak out on issues that affect our working lives and the quality of public services. Our Higher Education Committee meets four times a […]
Nearly half a million UNISON members work in the NHS and for organisations providing NHS services across the UK. UNISON’s health service group for health and care workers has been set up to best represent the employment needs of our members working in the health sector. The South East Regional Healthcare Committee meets four times […]
The Local Government Service Group brings together members who face similar employment issues and welcomes members who are employed or contracted by organisations including councils, schools, further education and the Care Quality Commission. The Committee meets four times a year and works to improve pay and conditions, campaigns to keep jobs and quality public services, […]
Every year, UNISON South East runs a weekend residential training course for all newly appointed or untrained Branch Officers. This year, the Branch Officer Training weekend is taking place at the Hilton at Ageas Bowl in Southampton and the following courses will be taking place: Branch Officer Training Branch Secretary: This course is designed to […]
UNISON has a proud history of providing quality training and education courses for all elected Branch Officers and union members. We have put together a16-day programme of training which we recommend to all new Branch Women’s Officers, to help you understand your role and help you acquire the knowledge and skills to support and advise members and your […]
In addition to our main programme of activist education courses, the UNISON South East also runs additional courses throughout the year. Some are programmed, some are demand-driven, but all help equip our activists for the roles they undertake. Additional Regional Courses Branch Officer Training This is an annual residential weekend training event that covers all the key branch […]
If you have recently been elected as a UNISON Health and Safety rep, you are probably feeling slightly anxious about what you have let yourself in for. Don’t panic! UNISON South East have put together a 14-day programme of training which we recommend for all new Health and Safety reps, and for which your employer should give you […]
If you have recently become a UNISON Steward or workplace representative, you are probably feeling slightly anxious about what you have let yourself in for. Don’t panic! UNISON South East have put together a 17-day programme of training, which we recommend for all new Stewards, and for which your employer should give you paid time off work […]
UNISON retired members in the South East have a wealth of experience and knowledge that make them a valuable part of UNISON campaigns. Our retired members work closely with other member groups on almost every issue that affects workers in the UK, as well as fighting for quality public services, on which many older people rely. […]
UNISON South East’s LGBT+ Group fights discrimination and prejudice in the workplace on behalf of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and all those members who identify under the LGBT+ umbrella.
UNISON is committed to achieving equality for all by fighting disability discrimination and campaigning to remove barriers to employment in the workplace. Through self organisation disabled members help the Union to identify and challenge discrimination. This helps build equality throughout the work of the Union. It can also be a valuable way for members to […]
Black members in UNISON work to improve equality in the workplace and challenge racism and discrimination. Black members have many of the same concerns as other members regarding access to employment, pay, promotion and training. However, race discrimination can deepen the impact of problems faced in the workplace. UNISON South East’s Black members’ committee (known […]
