The Branch Secretary of one of the biggest Branches in the South West won the Eric Roberts Organising Rep of the Year award at last nights Get Active 2019.
Chris Nelson has led the South Western Ambulance and Allied Helath Branch for several years and in 2018 he spearheaded a campaign against bullying in the ambulance service.
In partnership with the branch’s regional organiser he worked to identify the extensive examples of bullying and harassment, discrimination and mis-management to demonstrate to the employer that there was an endemic cultural problem.
He enabled workers to have an opportunity to share their experiences and built an employer wide report of the issues which meant UNISON could have a more meaningful dialogue with the employer to build a log term plan to retrain, re-educate and reinvigorate management and workplaces.
This work, alongside case work, representation and support for workplace issues has raised the profile and led members and staff to have hope that the misogyny, discrimination and bullying will no longer be condoned and that the employer is now on the path to becoming a safer, more inclusive employer.
