Free Will Service

As part of the members benefits from UNISON. You can access the free legal services including a free Las Will & Testament. 

Click image below to signup for the free online Will service TODAY!

For more information on the UNISON Legal Services click HERE for more information.

16 Reasons

16 reasons people don’t join – how you can change their minds!

“It’s too expensive”

• Membership is calculated depending on your salary and can be as little as £1.30 per month.
• It’s value for money – a premium service that offers peace of mind and security.
• Membership costs do not automatically increase every year.
• Membership includes free legal advice.
• It’s not as expensive as losing your job and having no one to fight your corner.
• We offer concessions for students.

“No one asked me”

• I’m asking you now!
• Explain that a union is only as strong as its membership. The more members we have the stronger we become the more protection we can offer.

“I’ve had a bad experience with UNISON in the past”

• Listen to their negative experience. Steer the conversation towards a more positive outcome by asking how they would have dealt with the situation;
• Explain that times have changed and that by being part of a collective and getting involved, workplace situations can be resolved;
  
• Empathise, and offer support and confidentiality on any current issues.

“I can get all the benefits without joining”

• You may be able to get certain benefits, but you’re vulnerable without proper representation at disciplinary or grievance meetings.
  
• By being part of a democratic process such as consultation and negotiation, you have a voice.
  
• “Freeloading” can undermine the strength of the union, which can have a negative effect on deals and agreements.

“Aren’t you affiliated with the Labour Party?”

• All unions have a political fund. UNISON members can choose to pay a very small part of their subscriptions into the affiliated political fund (Labour Link), the general political fund, both, or neither.

“It could harm my career”

• Your employer doesn’t need to know you’re a member and you can pay by Direct Debit rather than through your salary.
• We have a lifelong learning agenda – learning new skills and ongoing training opportunities will help your career, not harm it.

“I’ve never needed to join”

• The chances are that the union has already fought and won collective issues for everybody, including you; 
• The workplace is always changing by being a member, you will be represented in situations such as disciplinaries or redundancies.

“I’m an agency worker – I can’t join”

• Agency workers can join and pay by Direct Debit.
• We represent thousands of agency workers. (See our Know Your Rights leaflet for agency workers).

“What’s the point? I can’t be bothered”

• Give examples of local and national successes, including workplace issues.
• Go “fishing” – show an interest, and ask key questions to prompt further discussion at a later date.
• UNISON’s role in the workplace, the membership benefits and why we need to increase membership numbers.

“I don’t want to go on strike”

• A strike is a last resort and only happens if members vote in favour of action.
• 90% of members have never been on strike because negotiation usually settles disputes.
• It’s sometimes necessary to go on strike as part of negotiations.

“Unions don’t have any power and don’t do anything”

• All workers’ rights have been won because of unions – paternity leave, local government pension scheme, national minimum wage, family-friendly policies etc.
• Unions are a good source of information.
• Look at our lifelong learning agenda.

“Why bother? It’s a waste of time”

• The union will always bother you if a problem affects you;
• If you get actively involved, you can help yourself and your colleagues – that’s a very good use of your time.

“My manager is a member”

• The union is inclusive, so every staff member can join. But they all have an equal voice within the union – the views of the person you’re recruiting will have just as much weight as their manager.

“There’s no personal benefit to me”

• Membership benefits include free legal representation, access to our welfare charity There for You and many training and development opportunities.
• There are also a host of exclusive member-only financial benefits and deals.

“I’m worried about management reprisals”

• There are trade union laws that protect union members.
• Talk out their issues and give examples of how these may be resolved.
• Workers are more likely to be targeted by management if they’re not a member.
• But at the same time, the employer doesn’t need to know that you’re a member.

“I’m too busy”

• Completing the membership form will take just five minutes!

Update your Membership Details

Make sure your details are accurate. You can update your contact details on My UNISON or contact our help team UNISONDirect.

0800 0857 857 https://unison.org.uk/my-unison/

Not a member join today http://join.unison.org.uk #joinUNISON

We’re Worth More

UNISON Legal Services

UNISON: legal protection for those who protect

Every day, public service workers go above and beyond to support and protect our communities, but who makes sure when they need it that they are protected too?

UNISON - the public service union, and Thompsons Solicitors - the UK's leading trade union law firm. 

At Thompsons, we're proud to provide legal protection for UNISON members, for those who play such a valuable role in our society. 

We understand the impact austerity, pay cuts, long working hours, and poor working conditions are having on public service workers who despite all that is - day in, and day out - keeping us safe, educated, healthy, and cared for. 

Those workers who give so much, deserve only the very best legal backing. 

That's why we provide free legal advice and protection to more than 1.3 million UNISON members across England, Scotland, and Wales.

We provide protection for those who protect working in:

• NHS and social care roles
• Local and regional councils
• Colleges and schools
• The electricity, gas, and water industries
• Transport
• Police and justice
• Community and voluntary roles.

If you've been injured and need advice - get in touch to access free, no-obligation expert advice today on 0808 252 2783.

Check out the Thompsons UNISON page for more information or to start a claim or information request.

https://www.thompsonstradeunion.law/trade-unions/unison

Legal protection for you, and your family

As a UNISON member, if you are injured or involved in an accident, at or outside of work, on the roads or on holiday*, we're here to protect you, providing the legal expertise you need to secure compensation for your injuries. But our expert lawyers are also on hand to offer free legal advice and representation to your family members too for any accidents they have away from work including on the roads or on holiday.*

Unlike other lawyers, we only ever act for the injured or mistreated worker - never for employers, and never for insurance companies. That means we use our almost hundred years of expertise to stand up for those who protect, not defend those who cause injury.

*Holiday claims cover accidents outside the UK too where the case can be pursued in the UK courts.

The process of making a personal injury claim with UNISON

After having an initial conversation with our friendly and knowledgeable legal enquiry team, if we think you have a case your claim will be assigned to an appropriate legal specialist. A lawyer will provide support and advice at every step of your claim and will have a track record of helping other union members too.

UNISON’s promise to you: you or your family member will keep 100 per cent of the compensation you secure from your claim. We won’t make any deductions from your settlement and you won’t pay a penny in legal fees whether you win, or lose – it’s all part of your UNISON membership.

A total package of free legal protection for UNISON members

UNISON members get a total package of free legal advice and representation in:*

• Personal injury claims
• Accident at work claims
• Claims of the utmost severity including brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation and fatalities
• Industrial disease or illness claims including asbestos.

Your membership also includes:

• Employment law advice accessed via your UNISON rep’
• Settlement agreements
• Work-related criminal law advice
• A free initial assessment in clinical negligence cases and then special funding terms
• A free online standard wills service. If you are a union member in Scotland, please use Thompsons Scotland's separate facility to start your free will
• Reduced rates for conveyancing
• Free initial legal advice on the telephone for up to 30 minutes.

*Within the union scheme. Terms and conditions apply. 

Domestic & Animal Abuse

Interesting article on the update of Domestic Abuse Law.

https://www.animaljournal.co.uk/article/welfare/domestic-abuse-animal

This change has been reflected both in Criminal Law and in Family Law which now both recognise, along with acts of violence and threats, a category of domestic abuse which is known as ‘controlling and coercive behaviours.

The Law has also been updated to include the use and abuse of animals.

There For You