❤️Unions Week is one of my favourites.

It’s a chance for us all to reflect on the incredible work that our workplace reps and activists do.

Our network of workplace representatives is the best of its kind, you’ll find them in every hospital, council office, library, ambulance station and school across the South West. Organising and representing UNISON members every single day.

They’re the ones listening when things get tough, working with employers to resolve concerns and ensuring workplaces are safe to work in.

They’re also the people who campaign for better – in Somerset, trade union reps have been at the forefront of winning better pay for care workers. In Cornwall, it’s UNISON reps who are supporting members facing redundancy and it’s our young UNISON reps who are campaigning for homeworkers with the right to disconnect.

I’m always blown away by the dedication of our workplace representatives which is why I’m delighted that we can once again seek to recognise their commitment to the trade union movement by opening our annual Get Active award nominations today.

We have eight categories to choose from, including organising rep of the year, branch of the year, young member of the year and health and safety rep of the year.

This year we also have our new special recognition award which aims to recognise the extraordinary contributions made by a rep who has not only worked throughout the pandemic but who has also supported and organised members in their workplace.

Any UNISON member can nominate, and I can’t wait to read through the nominations you make and meet our award winners at our Get Active awards ceremony in May.

Finally, throughout this week if you spot a UNISON rep in your workplace they might just have some Love Heart sweets – make sure you ask!