Union for the NHS

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jonny2510
jonny2510 Posts: 671 Forumite
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in Employment, jobseeking & training
I hope someone can advise me (or my wife).

My wife's just started a new job for the NHS, and a few people (outside of work) have said she should join a union.

With neither of us having ever been in a union, I really don't know where to start.

Are there a choice of unions for employees of the NHS, and if so, is one "better than the rest"?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)

Comments

  • redz
    redz Posts: 212 Forumite
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    As far as I'm aware COSHE is the main union for health service employees.

    Oops. Seems I mis-informed you. Apparantly COSHE merged with NUPE and NALGO to form UNISON. Apologies.
  • Horace
    Horace Posts: 14,426 Forumite
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    The other main union for NHS employees is UNISON.

    UNISON are ok, they are quite a big union and have lots of member benefits such as a holiday park in Croyde Bay, free courses and a whole raft of other things.

    https://www.unison.org.uk

    Take a look and then make your decision.
  • SomeBozo
    SomeBozo Posts: 1,195 Forumite
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    UNISON is the union for staff in the NHS.

    If she is clinical, she should join her trade union, eg NMC.

    Bozo
  • nitnurse-not2
    nitnurse-not2 Posts: 238 Forumite
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    It sometimes can depend on what type of post you have. Some people have their own union eg midwives, health visitors etc.
    Get your wife to ask around to other work colleagues. They are always happy to help and advise.
    Very important if you have an accident at work or some person decides to sue her.
    Most people never need their union so I don't mean to scare.
    Hope the job goes well.
    Start by doing what's necessary, then do what's possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible:j
    Christmas is not a time but a state of mind :xmassmile
    Trying.....Very trying- as my DH would say :whistle:
    Loving de-cluttering :heart:
  • surreysaver
    surreysaver Posts: 4,140 Forumite
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    SomeBozo wrote: »
    UNISON is the union for staff in the NHS.

    If she is clinical, she should join her trade union, eg NMC.

    Bozo

    The NMC isn't a union. Try RCN. That's a union.
    I consider myself to be a male feminist. Is that allowed?
  • LondonDiva
    LondonDiva Posts: 3,011 Forumite
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    Get her to ring the HR dept - they will send / email over the details of all the staff side contacts for that organisation. The union may have a page on the intranet and may be discussed at the staff induction.

    Is your wife clinical or non clinical as that may have a bearing. If she is clinical, it is worth checking just how many members the main clinical union has in that organisation. If not much, she'd be better off with Unision or the main union there.

    If your wife is in primary care, I'd strongly urge her to get into a union asap, as with all the changes due with APO status it's important to tick off all the protection she can get.
    "This is a forum - not a support group. We do not "owe" anyone unconditional acceptance of their opinions."
  • Burlesque_Babe
    Burlesque_Babe Posts: 17,547 Forumite
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    I was with UNISON (I was non-clinical). They were excellent when my new manager decided to treat me like dirt.
    :D"Stay Wonky":D

    :j:jBecome Mrs Pepe 9 October 2012 :j:j
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