UNISON members are people working in the public services, for private contractors providing public services and the essential utilities.

They include manual and white collar staff working full or part time in local authorities, the NHS, colleges and schools, the electricity, gas and water industries, transport and the voluntary sector.

Most people join a union because they want protection at work - help with pay and conditions of service, legal or health and safety advice or representation in case things go wrong at work. That's what we're here for. UNISON negotiates on pay and working conditions at every level - local, regional and national. But we also do a lot more. Being a UNISON member gives you a range of benefits and unbeatable deals.

Local stewards are there to represent you at work and help find the answers to your problems. They are volunteers and play a vital role in recruiting new members and organising your branch. If you have a problem, talk to your local steward. If they can't handle the problem on their own, they can talk to other branch officers or full - time union experts on your behalf.

Anyone can face problems at work sometimes but if you are a member of UNISON, you don't have to face them alone. We can provide advice or representation on things like pay, rotas, leave and sickness procedures. We are also there to help you make sure your workplace is healthy and safe, support you in case of disciplinary action, dismissals or redundancy.

Members

UNISON members work in all areas of public services in Local Government, Health Services, Further and Higher Education, utilities like Gas, Electricity and Water, Transport, Police Civilians and in the voluntary and related sectors.

Members vote directly by postal ballot for the General Secretary and National Executive. In the rare event that industrial action is called for, that also requires a postal ballot. They elect stewards and branch officers locally at meetings or by ballot.

UNISON members also qualify for a range of legal and financial benefits

Branches

Every member is allocated to a branch. Through the branch structures, they elect stewards and branch officers and delegates to, eg Scottish Council.

Branches are usually based on employers or groups of employers, eg City of Edinburgh Branch which covers those employed by City of Edinburgh Council but also over one hundred other related and voluntary sector employers.

Members are advised of the name of their branch secretary on joining UNISON.

UNISON Scottish Council

Comprises delegates from all Scottish branches and meets three times a year to elect officers, committees, delegations etc and set policies on general matters. Oversees the work of Scottish Committees. Pay and conditions issues specific to any particular service are dealt with by the Service Groups.

UNISON Scottish Committee

Comprises elected members from Scottish Council, Service Group delegates and Self Organised Group delegates. Has the key policy and strategy role between Scottish Council meetings.