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If you have a work problem or query, get in touch with your UNISON workplace representative, if you are unsure of who your rep is please contact the Branch Office and one of the support staff will be able to help you. Alternatively, you can ring UNISONdirect on 0845 355 0845
For any other enquiries, eg, membership, change of address, please contact
the UNISON Branch Office, Room A313, County Hall, Taunton TA1 4DY
where one of the support staff will be pleased to help you:
Email: unisonoffice@somerset.gov.uk
Telephone: (01823) 355568/356136
Fax: (01823) 355444
Somerset County Branch of UNISON is run by a branch commitee and supported by skilled staff, locally, regionally and nationally.
All members of UNISON Somerset County Branch can attend branch meetings, vote and stand in branch elections and get involved in our campaigns and activities.
We are always looking for people who feel they can contribute to the branch and to helping other members. This could be a regular commitment or just the occasional hour or so. We also provide training courses and support for our reps and officers. Contact the Branch Office if you would like to find out more.
Duties of Branch Officers and Stewards
The Branch Secretary is the leading officer in the Branch and is the Branch administrator, responsible for co-ordinating all activities. The Branch Secretary maintains links with Branch officers, listens to and advises stewards (and/or members) about problems. The Secretary oversees the work of the Branch Employed Staff, Branch Committees and working groups, arranges and services meetings of the Branch, ensures that the Branch is represented at Regional Council and Annual Conference and submits Branch motions to Conference, Regional Council etc.
The Branch Council Chair chairs General and Branch Council meetings and positively leads the Branch by keeping all activities and the achievement of Branch aims and policies under review. Provides guidance to other Branch Officers and acts as a "Branch Arbitrator" on disputes with employees.
Team Leaders co-ordinate teams of stewards in geographical areas and distribute casework, providing advice and also taking the lead role.
The Education Officer organises briefings for all new officers, stewards and safety representatives and ensures that they undertake the full programme of basic training. S/he promotes other courses available to the Branch, approves nominations for courses, and helps individual members make use of the vocational facilities available to them. Also helps the Branch Council negotiate on post-entry training schemes and monitors the way they are applied.
The Equalities Officer co-ordinates the Branch's work on equal opportunities and self organisation for all members. Advises the Branch Council and stewards on equal opportunities issues that have service conditions implications and monitors the employers' performance in equal opportunities. Makes contact and liaises with outside organisations that specialise in equal opportunities matters and publicises equal opportunity issues.
The Health & Safety Officer co-ordinates the activities of the safety representatives, monitors the employers' safety policy, advises on negotiations involving health & safety, keeps abreast of H & S legislation and represents the Branch on the Central Health & Safety Committee.
The IT & Communications Officer assists the Branch with developing IT based communication and data systems. Develops and maintains the Branch website, ensuring that it is updated regularly.
The Affiliated Political Fund Officer receives and circulates correspondence and information of APF matters, explains and develops the role of APF, convenes meetings, arranges discussions on policy, promotes political education and policy discussions, strengthens links with local Labour Parties.
The Assistant Secretary deputises for the Secretary and assists the Secretary as necessary and deals with recruitment.
The Branch Liaison Officer keeps officers informed of office workload demands and staff informed of Branch developments which impact on the Branch Office. Acts as advisor and conciliator between office and Branch activists when required
The Magazine Editor prepares and edits the Branch magazine, SCOOP.
The Retired Members Officer represents retired members of UNISON and also those about to retire. Establishes links to external retirement organisations in the area and contacts the Branch Welfare Officer when aware that a retired member is ill or needs help.
The Service Conditions Officers oversee (with the Secretary) all service conditions issues, ensuring that local and national agreements are applied properly, advises stewards on service conditions issues affecting idividual and group members and lead the negotiating team at meetings with employers.
The Service Conditions and Welfare Officer advises on UNISON provision, eg, grants, loans convalescent homes, and on state benefits and visits sick or needy members or their dependents.
The Women's Officer helps acheive proportionality and fair representation, organises a womens group and identifies concerns, is a focal point of women's issues for members, liaises at regional and national level on women's issues, supports women members involved in harassment.
The Sports & Social Officer organises events for members at Branch and Regional level.
The Youth Officer assists with recruiting, organising, supporting and advising young members. Setting up activities on youth issues and talking to young people about the relevance of trade unions. Helping to raise awareness of workplace issues affecting young members.
The Treasurer has overall responsibility for the Branch's financial management and for membership records. S/he arranges the collection of subscription, ensuring members pay the correct amount, keeos proper books of accounts, ensures the Branch receives its rightful funds from HQ, and makes payments under the authorisation of the Branch Council. The Treasurer keeps the Branch Council informed of the Branch's financial position, advises of the financial implications of proposals, prepares a Branch budget, monitors income and expenditure, and prepares a balance sheet for the AGM and the Annual Returns.
The Auditors audit the annual accounts and make recommendations and comments as appropriate
Branch Officers
Click on the Officers title for a brief description of their role & duties
Branch Secretary
Nigel Behan - (01823) 355567/8
Assistant Branch Secrety
Tony Serjeant - (01823 358143
Chair
Adrian Welland - (01823) 327713
Steward Co-ordinators
Nigel Behan, (01823) 356181
Belinda Burton (01460) 260115
Michael French (01823) 346129
Education Officer
Vacancy
Equality Officer
Brenda Weston
Health & Safety Officer
Vacancy
IT/Communications Officer
Jill MItton
Labourlink Officer
Michael French (01823) 346129
LGBT Officer
Martin Jevon (01823) 320011
Branch Liaison Officer
Sarah Miller - (01823) 356279
Magazine Editor
Belinda Burton
Retired Members
Vacancy
Service Conditions Officers
Richard Antliff - (01823) 355642
Dave Orr
Womans Officer
Janet Woodburn (01823) 355750
Sports & Social Officer
Simon Heritage - (01823) 355037
Youth Officer
Lewis Andrews - (01823) 355835
Treasurer
Michael French (01823) 346129
Auditors
Andrew Ellins - (External Auditor)
Jon Padfield (01823) 355745
All members of UNISON Somerset County Branch can attend branch meetings, vote and stand in branch elections and get involved in our campaigns and activities.
We are always looking for people who feel they can contribute to the branch and to helping other members. This could be a regular commitment or just the occasional hour or so. We also provide training courses and support for our reps and officers. Contact the Branch Office if you would like to find out more.
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