Grampian Health Branch

About Your Branch

Every member of UNISON belongs to a local branch which is made up of people working for the same employer or the same profession. The objectives of the Grampian Health Branch include organising within the Grampian area all workers involved in the provision of health care (public, private and voluntary) and currently over 3000 members.

The Branch has local stewards based across Grampian to represent you at work and help find the answers to your problems. They are all volunteers and in addition to working for you they 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 officials or full-time 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 terms and conditions, health & safety and welfare . We are also there to support you in dignity at work issues, disciplinary action, dismissal or redundancy

For further advice on membership contact the Resources Centre
Address and phone number on the website.

Guidance for members on representation

Some problems have recently arisen in connection with members’ understanding of union representation. The Branch therefore thought some clarification would be useful.
UNISON will seek to provide members with the best possible advice and assistance.  In most cases our trained Staff Side representatives will be able to help you. Should they require advice regarding your case or have to refer your case to a more experienced steward they will do so.
UNISON will determine who the most appropriate steward to assist you is.
 If you seek advice from a third party UNISON reserves the right to withdraw assistance.
UNISON will take action on your behalf through agreement with you at all times.  
Your representative will keep you informed and will make no decisions regarding your case without consulting you. You are free not to take any advice offered to you by UNISON in which case continuing support will be withdrawn. However, you may complain or ‘appeal’ this decision by writing to your Branch Secretary in the first instance.
UNISON representatives and members are expected to treat each other with respect and integrity.  Failure to do so by your steward entitles you to complain to your Branch Secretary. Failure to do so by you may result in the withdrawal of
UNISON support.
In order to receive ongoing support you must remain a member of UNISON.

If you join UNISON concerning a pre-existing issue we may give general advice over the telephone but you may not be entitled to full representation
UNISON is proud of our record of achievements on behalf of our members.  Making these successes public reminds the employer of its responsibilities and encourages more people to get involved as both members and stewards and UNISON therefore reserves the right to use case details in publicity or case study/learning material. UNISON will not use your name without your permission.
For further information see your rule book or contact Grampian Resource Centre—01224 620624.

April 2010
Nurses, midwives, health visitors and healthcare assistants
Raising and Escalating Concerns
The NMC says that the guidance will support nurses and midwives who wish to raise or escalate concerns about the safety or wellbring of people in their care. For UNISON's response to the NMCs consultation
Click here

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UNISON Leaflets on Employment Rights, Redundancy and Public Sector Cuts can be found on the

Communications Page

Use of social networking sites - Warning from UNISON

Unison advise their members not to use social networking sites as a forum to discuss clinical or professional issues nor post comments about the same as this can result in disciplinary action against those involved, see your employers internet policy for further information.