Workplace bargaining

UNISON members in charities, housing associations and other voluntary organisations carry out demanding jobs, often working with the most challenging and vulnerable groups in society. The constant pressure on costs, caused by the Tory-led Government's regime of cuts, and the competition for contracts, is leading to a range of real difficulties for our members.

This guide aims to give UNISON branches and reps in these sectors advice and support in dealing with the most common problems, and to signpost readers to further sources of help and support. Reps in these employers have told us that among the key issues our members were facing were job losses and re-structures, changes to pay and conditions, transfers of employment, pensions, equalities, violence at work, facility time, volunteering, and safeguarding.

For each issue, the guide provides background information on what's going on, what the law says, advice on how to negotiate and represent members, and links to lots of further information and advice, produced by UNISON and others like the TUC and ACAS. A lot of the advice applies in many different employment settings and sectors, but where a voluntary sector- or housing association-specific approach is needed, guidance is given on that basis