ROLE OF THE WORKPLACE REP

UNITE Workplace Reps are Entitled to Time Off From Their Full-time Positions to undertake their work and will receive lots of support and training from the Union.

Understand the roles and rights of a workplace rep, and the basics of employment law.
Understand the structures of Unite and how you can use this for support in the workplace.
You will also understand how you and your members can best both implement and change union policy.
Work with the Unite team to get your workplace organised and understand why this is the best way to get changes in the workplace.
Run grievance or disciplinary cases on behalf of unite members.
Run a local campaign around an issue important to you and other members in your workplace.
Network with other Unite activists in your sector and region.
Take an integral part in running national, political and global campaigns in your workplace.

OUR REPS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE UNION

It's through their hard work that we protect employees rights at work, campaign for better working practices and support those in need of help.

They're the bridge between employers and employees in workplaces and negotiate on important matters to make sure that everyone's voice is heard.

Members seeking election as accountable representatives of workers must have made at least thirteen weeks financial contributions and not be more than thirteen weeks in arrears (Rule 6).

If you think you have what it takes, contact the branch secretary by completing the form opposite

WHAT DOES THE ROLE OF A REP INVOLVE

The role of a Unite Representative is an interesting and challenging one. You will learn more about how your organisation works at every level. Unite will provide you with the confidence, skills and knowledge to enable you to:

Recruit new members into the Union, mapping your workplace

Answer members’ queries

Negotiate and consult with management at all levels

Represent members in disciplinary situations

Represent members in grievance situations

Disseminate relevant information

Give you and your colleagues a voice in the union and your Organisation’s decision-making processes

Attend meetings to discuss workplace issues relevant to you and your colleagues

Become involved in other areas such as health and safety, equalities and life long learning

Have I got the time to become a rep?

Where the Union has a recognition agreement, Unite reps receive paid time off to perform union activities and for training.

Will becoming a rep affect my career?

The simple and only answer is no. It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a trade union representative. Many local reps have gone on to use the skills they have gained as a rep to achieve promotions, become senior reps or gain employment within the trade union movement.

I wouldn’t know where to start....

Unite provides a comprehensive range of free training courses for reps and members.

You can also apply for a union bursary to help with your education and explore pathways to union linked further and higher education programmes.

The education department is committed to providing the very best service to reps and members based on the Unite three pillar strategy of: Organising, International Solidarity and Politics.

The Roles and a Brief Outline of Duties

There are a number of different representative roles within Unite, with the most common being the workplace rep. This rep may find themselves undertaking any of the tasks and duties of specialist reps, as well as the general duties of a regular workplace rep.

Convener

Provides leadership within a team of reps at the same workplace, often takes the chair or secretary position on a negotiating team for the joint unions within an organisation.

These roles are often taken by more experienced reps who can support other team members.

They will also take the lead in negotiations on local, regional or national terms and conditions.

Workplace Representative

This is the most rounded role, with the rep taking the lead on collective organising within the workplace and undertaking individual representation on a whole range of issues.

Health and Safety Representative

Trained on Health, Safety and Welfare legislation and regulations, and able to challenge the organisation where there are health and safety issues for staff.

They may also hold a position on a joint union and management health and safety committee for their organisation

Learning Representative

Support members with individual learning needs, and signpost them to learning opportunities – for their personal development within their work role or outside work.

These reps may take a position on a steering group around professional skills and knowledge, apprenticeships, or other learning and development, within the organisation, or work with the training department on partnership projects around learning in the workplace

Equality Representative

Takes the lead on promoting equality and diversity throughout the union and the workplace with the intention of eliminating unlawful discrimination in the recruitment of staff and their treatment as workers.