Privacy Policy

UniteWM7015 – Sandwell Local Authority Branch

Effective Date: 10 October 2026
Last Reviewed: 10 October 2026

1. Introduction

UniteWM7015 – Sandwell Local Authority Branch ("the Branch", "we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information fairly, lawfully and transparently.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect and share personal information when you use the UniteWM7015 website, submit online forms, contact the Branch, apply for support, or engage with Branch activities.

The Branch forms part of Unite the Union. Personal data processed for official trade union purposes may also be subject to Unite's national privacy arrangements as described in the Privacy Policy - Unite The Union. Unite states that it processes personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and data protection legislation. [unitetheunion.org]

2. Who We Are

Website: UniteWM7015 – Sandwell Local Authority Branch

Website Address: www.unitewm7015.co.uk

For matters relating to this website and Branch administration, the Branch acts as a data controller for personal information collected through this website.

For wider Unite membership administration, representation, elections, ballots, benefits and other national union functions, Unite the Union may act as the data controller. Unite identifies itself as the data controller for personal data covered by its national privacy policy. [unitetheunion.org]

For personal information collected through this website and local Branch activities, UniteWM7015 acts as the data controller.

3. Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with the website, we may collect:

Contact Information

Name
Email address
Telephone number
Workplace
Membership-related information you choose to provide

Website Enquiry Information

Information submitted through:

Contact forms
General enquiries
Requests for support
Requests to update information
Feedback forms

Equality Monitoring Information

Where equality monitoring questions are provided:

Completion is voluntary.
Equality monitoring information is optional.
"Prefer not to say" options may be available.
Information is used only for monitoring equality, diversity and inclusion and will not affect eligibility for Branch services or support.

Welfare and Support Applications

Where members apply for welfare or other assistance following misfortune, we may collect:

Financial information
Employment information
Circumstances relating to an application
Supporting evidence supplied voluntarily

Technical Information

When you use the website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

IP address
Browser type
Device information
Date and time of access
Pages visited
Referral information

4. How We Use Your Personal Data

We may process your information to:

Respond to enquiries.
Provide trade union support and assistance.
Communicate Branch news and updates.
Administer Branch activities and meetings.
Process welfare or hardship applications.
Maintain accurate contact records.
Improve website functionality.
Monitor website performance and security.
Meet legal and regulatory obligations.
Protect the Branch, its members and website users from fraud, misuse or unlawful activity.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on one or more of the following legal bases:

Legitimate Interests

To operate the Branch, support members, respond to enquiries and administer Branch activities.

Contract

Where processing is necessary to provide services requested by a member or website user.

Consent

For certain optional communications, equality monitoring information, cookies and similar technologies where required.

Legal Obligation

Where we are required to comply with legal or regulatory requirements.

Special Category Data

Trade union membership information is classified as special category personal data under UK GDPR.

Where required, we rely on the conditions available under Article 9 UK GDPR relating to legitimate activities of a trade union and other lawful grounds permitted by law.

6. Equality Monitoring Data

We recognise the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Any equality monitoring information:

Is provided voluntarily.
May include protected characteristic information.
Will be used only for statistical, monitoring and equality-related purposes.
Will not normally be used in decision-making concerning services or support.
Can be withheld by selecting "Prefer not to say" where available.

7. Cookies and Analytics

The website may use cookies to:

Maintain website functionality.
Improve user experience.
Understand visitor behaviour.
Improve website content and services.

Where non-essential cookies or analytics technologies are used, consent will be requested where required by law.

Users can manage cookies through browser settings.

Further information about cookies and similar technologies can be found in Section 17 (Cookie Policy).

8. How We Share Information

We do not sell personal information.

Information may be shared with:

Unite the Union where required for legitimate union purposes.
Branch officers who require access to perform their duties.
Professional advisers.
IT service providers.
Website hosting providers.
Regulatory or law enforcement authorities where legally required.

All sharing is limited to what is necessary and appropriate.

9. Website Hosting and Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:

Unauthorised access
Loss
Misuse
Disclosure
Alteration
Destruction

These measures may include:

Secure website hosting
Access controls
Password protection
Encryption where appropriate
Secure backups

Access to welfare application information is restricted to authorised Branch officers involved in the administration and assessment of applications.

No internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure, but we work to minimise risks.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to:

Fulfil the purpose for which it was collected.
Comply with legal obligations.
Resolve disputes.
Maintain union records where appropriate.

Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and legal requirements.

When information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted or anonymised.

Information Retention

Contact enquiries 12 months

Feedback forms 12 months

Equality monitoring Anonymised after analysis

Welfare applications 6 years

Branch administration records In accordance with Unite retention requirements

International Transfers

Some website service providers, including website hosting and cloud service providers, may process personal information outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards will be applied in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.

11. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, individuals have the right to:

Be informed about how their data is used.
Access their personal data.
Request correction of inaccurate information.
Request deletion of data in certain circumstances.
Restrict processing.
Object to processing in certain circumstances.
Request portability of data where applicable.
Withdraw consent where processing relies upon consent.

Requests should be submitted using the contact details below.

12. Children's Privacy

This website is intended primarily for adult trade union members and workers.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate legal authority or consent.

13. Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to external websites.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. Users should review the privacy policies of those websites separately.

14. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how your personal information has been handled, please contact the Branch first so we can attempt to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner's Office
Website: ICO

15. Contact Us

For privacy-related enquiries, requests or concerns, please contact:

Email: branch@unitewm7015.co.uk
Telephone: 0121 569 6143
Address: First Floor, Smethwick Council House, High Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 3NT

16. Relationship with Unite the Union

UniteWM7015 is a Branch of Unite the Union.

Certain information may be processed locally by Branch officers, while other information may be processed by Unite the Union for membership administration, representation, benefits, elections, ballots and other official union purposes.

For information about Unite's national processing activities, please refer to the Privacy Policy - Unite The Union, which states that Unite the Union is the data controller for personal data covered by that policy and details how member information is processed. [unitetheunion.org]

17. Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure the website functions correctly, to improve user experience, and to help us understand how visitors use the website.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferences and settings.

Types of Cookies We May Use

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of the website and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are typically used to:

Maintain website security.
Enable website functionality.
Remember user preferences during a browsing session.
Support website performance and reliability.

Because these cookies are necessary for the operation of the website, consent is not required for their use.

Analytics and Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use the website so that we can improve content, navigation and user experience.

Information collected may include:

Pages visited
Time spent on pages
Browser type
Device information
General geographic location
Website performance data

Where analytics cookies are used, consent will be requested before they are activated.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies allow the website to remember choices you make, such as accessibility settings or other preferences, to provide enhanced functionality.

Where required by law, these cookies will only be used with your consent.

Third-Party Cookies

Some features of this website may be provided by third-party services, including website hosting, social media integrations, embedded content or analytics providers.

These third parties may set cookies in accordance with their own privacy and cookie policies.

Users should review the privacy and cookie policies of any third-party services they interact with through the website.

Wix Cookies

This website is hosted using the Wix platform.

Wix may place essential cookies necessary for website security, fraud prevention, session management and website functionality.

Information about Wix's privacy and cookie practices can be found on the Wix website.

Managing Cookies

You can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings.

Most browsers allow you to:

View stored cookies
Delete cookies
Block cookies
Restrict certain cookie categories
Receive notifications before cookies are stored

Blocking some cookies may affect the functionality of the website.

Cookie Consent

Where required by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR, we will obtain consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device.

You may withdraw or change your consent preferences at any time using the website's cookie management tools where available.

We comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR when using cookies and similar technologies. Non-essential cookies will only be used where valid consent has been obtained.

18. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, guidance, website functionality or Branch activities.

The latest version will always be published on the website with the revision date shown at the top of this page.