Introduction

A trade union is an organisation formed by workers to protect employee rights and interests. They negotiate with employers on issues such as pay, working conditions and job security and provide support to employees facing disputes or who have workplace concerns.

What trade unions do

Trade unions can support, advise and represent you in various ways to make sure your rights in the workplace are protected and upheld.

Negotiate and advise

• Negotiate agreements on pay and conditions

  Work on your behalf with the aim to achieve better pay, benefits and working conditions.
  
  

• Advise on large scale changes

  Provide guidance and support during significant organisational changes, such as restructures and redundancies to make sure your rights are protected.

Support and represent

• Discuss your concerns with you

  Advise, support and represent you on workplace challenges or concerns to help you raise these effectively.
  
  

• Attend meetings with you

  A union rep can attend appropriate meetings you have with the council to advise you and make sure your interests are heard and taken into account.

Legal and health support

• Legal support and advice

  Help you understand your rights in the workplace, especially in situations like disputes or potential legal action.
  
  

• Take a proactive approach to good health

  Unions work to champion a healthy work environment and encourage good health practices.
  
  

• Look after your welfare, health and safety

  Make sure your health and safety are prioritised at work, advocating for safer working conditions and welfare support.

Recognised unions

National Joint Council (NJC) terms and conditions

We recognise three trade unions for National Joint Council (NJC) terms and conditions who represent our staff. These unions are formally recognised for collective bargaining and are signatories to the ‘Green Book’ NJC, for negotiations on pay and conditions.

The trade unions are:

• GMB
• UNISON
• Unite

Soulbury terms and conditions

We have a recognised trade union for Soulbury terms and conditions who represent our educational psychologists (EPs) that work in our children’s services. They negotiate on pay and conditions.

This trade union is Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP).