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2009 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Branch will be held at two separate venues to ensure as many members can participate and attend the meeting. Members can come along to either one. This being:

WEDNESDAY, 25TH MARCH 2009

5.00PM - UNISON HOUSE, CUSTOM HOUSE STREET, CARDIFF, CF10 1AP
(1-MINUTE WALK FROM CALLAGHAN SQUARE)

THURSDAY, 26TH MARCH 2009

4.00PM - STAFF CANTEEN, WALES & WEST HOUSE, SPOONER CLOSE, NEWPORT, NP10 8FZ

In attendance will be Steve Bloomfield - Unison National Officer for Gas Staffs.

It is highly recommended for you to attend. It is important to have the input from all members and the meeting will provide the perfect opportunity for a debate or raise questions.

Refreshments and a buffet will be provided. Please confirm your attendance by Wednesday 18th March 2009 to ensure the correct numbers are provided to the caterers.

A map to guide you to each location can be obtained here [word document]

Obtain a copy of your invitation to the Branch AGM 2009 click here [word document]

Do more with YOUR Union - become a workplace contact, workplace (Trade Union) representative or health & safety representative!

Want to meet new people, learn new skills and go places? Be active in UNISON and you'll get a lot more out of your union. Getting involved means: • Helping make a difference • Getting together with work friends and colleagues and meeting new people • Doing things you usually couldn't or wouldn't do alone • New opportunities for education, training and personal development • Helping yourself and improving your life at work, home and the wider world • Having fun and doing something you enjoy.

To find out more about doing more with your union click here

If you are interested, please contact Karl Whitehead - Branch Secretary - and complete a nomination form. To obtain a nomination form click here [word document]

Branch Committee Elections

Nominations are also invited for the following Officer posts on the Branch Executive Committee:-

Branch Secretary

Education Co-ordinator

Women Members Officer

Disabled Members Officer Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans’ Members

Equality Rep(s)

Communications Officer

Environmental Officer

Young Members Officer

Retired Members Secretary (must be a retired member)

Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator

Black Members Officer

Officer Equality Officer(s)

Health and Safety Officer

International Officer

Membership Officer

Welfare Officer Affiliated Political Fund Officer (elected by the APF members only)

Branch Auditor(s) (must not be undertaking any other role in the Branch)

[word document]

If you'd like to know who currently fulfils each post, please click here. Note: if the post you're looking for doesn't appear it means it is a new or vacant role.

If you are interested, please contact Karl Whitehead - Branch Secretary - and complete a nomination form. To obtain a nomination form click here [word document]

NOMINATIONS FOR BRANCH COMMITTEE ELECTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY WEDNESDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY 2009 AT THE LATEST

Do more with your union - become active!

Be active in UNISON and you'll get a lot more out of your union.

• Health & Safety Representative
• Workplace Contact
• Workplace (Trade Union) Representative

Health & Safety Representative - A UNISON health and safety rep helps to make sure that people's jobs and their workplaces do not cause injury or ill-health.

UNISON members believe health and safety is the most important issue at work. Health and safety can be a matter of life and death.

Health and safety reps work to make the workplace as safe as possible. They can:

• Make representations to the employer on behalf of members on any health, safety and welfare matter

• Represent members in consultation with Health and Safety Executive inspectors or other enforcing authorities
 
• Inspect designated workplace areas at least every three months
 
• Investigate any potential hazards, complaints by members and causes of accidents, dangerous occurrences and diseases

Like stewards, safety reps are chosen by union members. UNISON provides special introductory and follow up courses for health and safety reps.

Where can I find useful information and resources?

• Go to Health and Safety Resources

• UNISON's employment advice website troubleatwork.org.uk offers useful health and safety information for members.

Your help is needed.

If you would like to find out more, please contact us.
 

Workplace Contact – This is an ideal role for someone who is interested in becoming a steward or safety rep and wants to find out more about what's involved.

What do workplace contacts do?

UNISON workplace contacts play different support roles in the workplace, including:

• Making sure members receive union and other important information

• Helping groups of members to organise effectively

• Maintaining contact between members and the union where there is an elected steward

• Supporting other activists such as stewards and health and safety reps

Workplace contacts have a more informal role than stewards or safety representatives. They can also operate as part of a network supporting an elected steward.

Where can I get support and advice?

Your own steward, your health and safety rep and your branch are all there to help and support you in whatever you are able to contribute. You can also get advice from regional offices where necessary.

The union will make sure you:

• Receive regular UNISON information

• Are encouraged and enabled to get involved in branch work

• Get training and access to education, including induction courses for members considering becoming more involved

• Know where to go for advice on dealing with workplace problems

Most branches can give workplace contacts training and support through practical experience, for example, by inviting them to observe and assist in advising and organising members and in meetings with management.

How do I become a UNISON workplace contact?

Any group of members can elect a workplace contact. This group is known as the workplace contact's constituency.

Members don't need to hold an election but should find some way of agreeing on who the contact should be.

Stewards may wish to encourage a colleague to become a workplace contact, either to assist with stewards' work or to encourage them to become more active in the future.
 

Workplace (Trade Union) Representative – A UNISON steward is an elected rep who helps organise, recruit and represent members in their workplace.

Stewards are the backbone of UNISON. Without stewards there would be no one there to act as the link between members and the union and to organise and support people in the workplace.

What does a UNISON steward do?

As a steward you can:

• Talk to, recruit and organise members around workplace issues

• Talk to members about workplace problems, advice them and keep them informed of latest developments

• Represent members in your workplace

• Be involved in how your branch and union is run.

Will I have to negotiate with my employer?

It helps if stewards go to meetings with employers - it's usually the best way to talk to them! But you won't be forced to do anything you don't want to do and we will offer you training and backup.

Some stewards may be involved in local negotiations or in grievance or disciplinary cases - with training and support from the union. Senior stewards or convenors often take part in negotiations about pay and conditions with employers.

What if I'm worried I can't do everything?

Different stewards get involved in different activities depending on experience, skills and time factors.

UNISON is very much in favour of job sharing for stewards. This way you can spread the load, work together and support each other. Job sharing should be agreed with your branch.

You could also consider becoming a workplace contact and see how much you're willing and able to do.

Do I get any training?

All new stewards are encouraged to go on an induction course and on a course for handling grievances and disciplinary matters.
 
You'll receive regular information on training courses covering a wide range of workplace issues. These are normally run at regional level.

Who can I go to for support and advice?

Colleagues, workplace contacts and more experienced stewards, health and safety reps and branch officers will all help you.

How do I get hold of information and resources?

• UNISON's produces guides and information sheets on negotiating issues, including a monthly news sheet called Bargaining Update available from Bargaining Support.

• You'll find free online employment advice for members and the public at our website www.troubleatwork.org.uk

• UNISON's magazine inFocus will keep you up to date with all the latest news and developments. Go to inFocus

• U magazine is the magazine for all UNISON members, including stewards. Go to U magazine.

If you would like to find out more, please contact us.

Help YOUR union today!