UNISON is the largest union in the community and voluntary sector with more than 60,000 members working in every type of job across all grades.
Our members work in non-profit organisations ranging from large national charities with hundreds of employees to small-grant aided projects employing one part-timer. They provide a range of services to local communities and campaign on all sorts of issues.
Members employed in the Community & Voluntary sector who need assistance or representation should contact the Branch Office on Barnsley 01226 772988 and you will be put in touch with one of our Branch Convenors or the Regional Officer.
Our Convenor Dave Hickson normally represents members working in private homes and similar establishments and Ray Oldroyd (Branch Secretary) is usually able to support members employed in community organisations.
CONTACTS
UNISON Branch Office Tel. 01226 772988
Email unisonbranchoffice [at] barnsley [dot] gov [dot] uk
Outside of normal office hours call UNISON Direct on 0845 355 0845
Email unisonbranchoffice [at] barnsley [dot] gov [dot] uk
Outside of normal office hours call UNISON Direct on 0845 355 0845
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Community Service Group was created by a vote at National Delegate Conference in 2009, with the aim of giving our members in the community and voluntary sector their own unique voice in the union, and the power to make decisions about the issues and campaigns that affect them in their workplaces.
The Community Service Group Conference will be held at the Telford International Centre on Tuesday 2 November 2010. This will be the very first conference specifically for UNISON members in the Community Service Group – those members who work for organisations like charities, housing associations, social enterprises, and other voluntary sector bodies.
Service Group Executive - campaign priorities
The first meeting of the fully-elected Service Group Executive (SGE) took place in early July. The SGE is UNISON's senior national committee representing our 60 thousand members in the voluntary sector, charities, and housing associations. The SGE's Chair is Stephen Brown, from Quarriers branch in Scotland.
Among the items discussed were what the union’s campaign priorities should be in the community and voluntary sector, in the light of the general and local election results and the formation of the Liberal-Conservative government. The committee felt that funding in the sector, personalisation of services, two-tier workforce and TUPE issues, volunteering, facility time, job losses, safeguarding, and re-structuring of reward frameworks (such as the removal of increments) should be the priorities for the new service group as it begins to campaign on the issues which affect members’ working lives.
These potential campaigns will be discussed with representatives of the other service groups at the Service Group Liaison Committee in July.
Community organising projects
The National Community Unit is keen to work with regions and branches in developing Community organising projects. These may be projects that help strengthen the ability of a branch to organise Community and set up appropriate branch structures to accommodate Community members; or it may be a regional project that seeks to organise around a specific work group, e.g. domiciliary carers; or targets specific types of employers such as housing associations.
If you have an idea for an organising project in your branch or region then contact d [dot] williams [at] unison [dot] co [dot] uk
We are looking for members in the Community Service Group who may feel they can contribute to the branch and to helping other members. This could be a regular commitment or just the occasional hour or so. We provide training courses and support for our reps and officers. If you are interested in taking an active role within the Branch and would like to know more about becoming a Rep or attending the Community Service Group Conference, please contact the Branch Secretary, Ray Oldroyd at the Branch Office on the above telephone number or by email at unisonbranchsecretary [at] barnsley [dot] gov [dot] uk.