Temporary Area Organiser – Somerset Local Government & Community Branch

About this job

Introduction

1. UNISON is Britain’s largest public sector trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public services, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services.
2. The Somerset Local Government and Community branch is a busy branch of nearly 6000 members. The Branch covers many employers over a large geographical area and the role will involve attending in person meetings across Somerset.

Developmental

The Area Organiser is a key organising role, covering the key areas of organising and representation.

The Area Organiser is managed, supervised or mentored by the Branch Chair or Branch Secretary

Organising:  The Area Organiser will work in and across the branch to build recruitment and organising initiatives and campaigns; train and develop stewards; support branch communications; develop “green field” sites or inactive workplaces and work where necessary to build organisation from scratch. They will also undertake casework under supervision, advising, supporting and mentoring branch officers and stewards in representation and negotiation; providing help with case preparation and administration.

Organisations of specific branch wide campaigns and events; prepare information briefings to support organising or bargaining campaigns and support press and public relations work in the branch.

Representation: The Area Organiser will support the branch and local activists in collective negotiations, researching relevant agreements and employers, writing up claims and making presentations and engaging with employers as required.

UNISON structures its work programme to provide for the systematic implementation of policies adopted by its democratic lay member structures. The Area Organiser will be working to targets in their work plans arising from the four key objectives determined by UNISON:

•  Recruiting, organising and representing members.
• Negotiating and bargaining on behalf of members and promoting equality.
• Campaigning and promoting UNISON on behalf of members.
• Developing an efficient and effective union.

The Area Organiser is an important resource in helping the branch to direct resources toward recruitment and organising and the achievement of the branch objectives and priorities.

The key aims of the union as detailed in our Rule Book seek to:

i) Extend and promote our influence in the workplace and in the Community.

ii) Promote, safeguard and facilitate participation by all members in the union’s democracy, with special regard to women, members of all grades, black members, disabled members and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.

iii)  Provide effective standards of service in the areas of representation and advice, information to members on the work of the union, the provision of financial benefits and the maintenance of educational facilities for members.

To further these aims, the Area Organiser will have a clear understanding of equalities and how to increase participation in a member based organisation, and how to use different kinds of media to raise UNISON’s profile. They are highly focused on building the organisation and providing member satisfaction with the services provided. They have enthusiasm and commitment which motivates lay activists, new stewards and members.

UNISON is currently undergoing a period of change to meet the union’s developing recruitment, organisation and campaigning agenda. Post holders must be willing to change and adapt to help and support lay activists to do likewise.

The allocation of areas of work to the Area Organiser is the responsibility of the designated manager. Areas of work are interchangeable and are annually reviewed in discussion with the Area Organiser to meet the needs of the branch and members.