Unite or Unison

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ToriP
ToriP Posts: 168 Forumite
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in Employment, jobseeking & training
As an NHS employee, does anyone have any thoughts as to which Union to join?

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  • ohreally
    ohreally Posts: 7,525 Forumite
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    Dept?

    Unite tends to have members in estates, med physics and labs.
    Don’t be a can’t, be a can.
  • ToriP
    ToriP Posts: 168 Forumite
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    Ophthalmology.

    I was thinking unison as they have more membership within the NHS I hear
  • ohreally
    ohreally Posts: 7,525 Forumite
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    Probably Unison, find out which union colleagues belong to.

    Try and find out how effective the branch are though and chat with the local stewards first.
    Don’t be a can’t, be a can.
  • ToriP
    ToriP Posts: 168 Forumite
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    Will do.

    I've been doing some online research but there doesn't seem to be anything on the surface to seperate them for me

    Unison seems to be more specialised for public sector employees, including specifically healthcare
  • TobyJugg2
    TobyJugg2 Posts: 12 Forumite
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    edited 12 January 2017 at 12:31PM
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    Its an old thread, but having been a member of both, and politics aside, I have unquestionably found Unison to be the far better union in all areas.

    (30+ years a union man)
  • aife
    aife Posts: 220 Forumite
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    It really does depend on which is stronger in your workplace
    Talk to your colleagues
    Look out for posters / noticeboards - are there any meetings advertised ? Does it look as if it's been updated recently ?
    Also google the branch and look at their website and any social media
    If there really seems to be nothing to choose between them , then Unison has a stronger presence in the NHS
  • vreemt
    vreemt Posts: 45 Forumite
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    edited 23 February 2017 at 12:07PM
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    I know this is an old thread, but have I joined Unite last year and found them to be a bit spammy (trying to get you to sign up to things, 'news' is mostly offers for paid services/products) and useless. Where I worked a few years ago, Unison had a good presence and they seemed friendly.

    Hope those finding a union have more luck than I did, as I also had trouble choosing, especially when I found out there's many more than just the big ones. And then there are professional organisations who can offer similar kind of help...
  • Goatan
    Goatan Posts: 7 Forumite
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    In my experience unite is more interested in protecting its senior members and getting money out of its members than standing up for them.
  • tikki999
    tikki999 Posts: 45 Forumite
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    Agree with the spammy comment re. Unite.
    Was a member a while ago, but didn't renew after a year.
    Got fed up with the emails and the fact that when I did try to ask a question about something, they just passed me around several people and no-one really paid attention. Took me a while to convince them I really DID NOT want to continue my membership and was clear on why.
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