Welcome to UNISON South West
UNISON is its members – ordinary people who commit to making society better. From hospitals to town halls, schools to street cleaners, libraries to police stations, we are the people who keep Britain going twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Our members unite together in the belief that all workers deserve to live with dignity and get proper recognition for the vital services they provide. We are for everyone who wants fair, healthy and productive workplaces and our members strive to build a better society in this image.
Problems at work or at home can affect anyone. UNISON represents members when issues arise in the workplace, and we are a source of support and advice throughout life.
Each UNISON region has a Regional Secretary who is in charge of the day-to-day running of the union and is responsible to the General Secretary. UNISON’s current general secretary is Andrea Egan, who was elected by members.
Our priorities and campaigns are voted on by our members and our governance bodies are elected regularly. In the South West, Kerry Baigent is our Regional Secretary charged with delivering on members’ priorities.
Setting our regional objectives is one of the tasks of our elected committees of members, or “lay committees”. Staff then work alongside volunteer activists to achieve these aims.
You can find out more about our regional structures in the information below.
Self-organised groups
Self-organised groups (SOGs) operate at all levels of the union. If you’re in one or more of the SOGs, this can be a great way to get involved in UNISON and start making a difference in your workplace.
In the region we have committees for each SOG that are elected annually from its membership.
UNISON members in the South West set the priorities for the campaigns and education work of our regional self-organised groups, as well as making sure we are living up to our values as a union.
UNISON South West speaks up for around 90,000 people who deliver services to the public across the South West. Our members work hard and are committed to their jobs and the people they support in their communities.
Despite the myth of pampered public sector workers, we know that pay and conditions across the sectors we cover are not generous and in these times of downward pressure on pay, times are tough for our members.
The South West is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, but behind the holiday destinations there is a story of unaffordable housing – around 50% higher than the national average – poverty wages, and a lack of infrastructure such as public transport or local accessible services.
We aim to give our members a strong voice, to defend their jobs and fight for better working conditions but also to speak out on the social issues affecting them and their families. UNISON prides itself on listening to members, their hopes and ambitions, as well as their concerns and fears, and making sure their views come first in everything we do.
To all our members – thank you for putting your faith in us, and remember that the more each member takes part in their union, the stronger we are, whether voting in elections, reading our newsletters or attending workplace meetings. And to all of our stewards, representatives and branch officers – a very special thanks for the work that you do.
You make our union what it is today.
Tim Roberts, regional secretary
Regional structures
Find more information about our regional structures and democracy
Three strategic committees are responsible for detailed work on the right strategy to reach UNISON’s goals.
Campaigns, communications and political development
- Campaign effectively to secure high quality public services
- Ensure clear lines of communication between members and their union representatives, and vice versa
- Get the region’s voice heard in policy debates at a local and national level
- Coordinate with Labour Link and the general campaigns section to build a strong political presence in the South West
Development and organising
- Build strong branches in line with national guidance
- Recruit and retain members and develop them to become activists
- Organise education and training for members
- Strengthen our region by making it more diverse and inclusive through a network of self-organised groups
Finances and resources
- Produce a yearly budget in consultation with lay committees
- Allocate resources according to regional priorities and monitor spending
- Ensure the region takes advantage of other sources of funding
Leading the region’s work with the Labour Party is a regional committee. Any UNISON member who pays into the Affiliated Political Fund and is also a Labour member is eligible to be on this committee.
Branches may elect a Labour Link officer who is responsible for working with the local Labour Parties.
Each UNISON branch is affiliated to a number of Constituency Labour Parties and can send delegates. If you would like to attend your CLP as a UNISON delegate, get in touch with us.
This body is elected from all UNISON South West Branches and lay structures. It provides leadership across the region on campaigns, organising and bargaining.
Neil Guild and Ali Evans are our regional convenors with Trudie Martin as our deputy convenor.
Members are elected to South West Committee by standing for one of the three strategic committees which ensure they have a clear function and role as part of the committee’s work. Further members of the Committee come from service groups, self-organised groups and our networks. NEC Members also sit on the committee
South West Committee meets regularly throughout the year.
Regional Council brings together branches from across the region three times a year, to discuss the current issues affecting our members across the region. It meets in January after the annual Get Active event, May, when we hold annual elections, and October.
Delegates are elected by each branch and UNISON rules ensure delegations reflect the diversity of the union and new people are particularly welcomed.
Links to more information
More from UNISON South West
Get help
Lines are open Monday to Friday, 6am to midnight, and Saturday 9am to 4pm