Organising to Win strategy

What is the Organising to Win strategy?

UNISON has a proud record of achievements won by members. We know that effective organising is the key to our success. That’s why our first objective is “to organise all those employed directly or indirectly, within those areas of employment which provide services to the public”.

UNISON’s Organising to Win strategy aims to continue this success by meeting the changing demands on the union and providing a clear vision of a stronger UNISON. 

Organising shifts the balance of power to members by reaching beyond out existing base to build member confidence, participation, activism and leadership through activity to secure meaningful wins.

Our organising strategy has four key cornerstones:

1. Aligning bargaining and organising to win for members.
2. “One UNISON” priorities, for maximum impact in target areas.
3. Increased member participation.
4. Consistent best organising practice based on what works.

UNISON distinguishes between two organising approaches

Base organising: The routine development and maintenance of a strong and functional union in workplaces and branches. It is the day-to-day work of branches and regions to build and maintain an effective union with high membership and activism.

Strategic organising: builds member participation and power within an escalating plan to win a specific material change (big or small). It requires planned, resourced and targeted campaign activity to win with members, when bargaining alone is not enough.

In recent years, UNISON has developed a series of Organising to Win guides on key skills and methods, based on evidence of what works, which you can find in our resources section.