BLACK COUNTRY HEALTH BRANCH NEWSLETTERJuly 2016

Being a member of UNISON is more than paying you’re your subscription and waiting for UNISON to contact you. The branch relies on its members to support campaigns and tell us about issues in the workplace. You maybe someone who would like to do more, for example as a workplace contact or becoming a UNISON representative.

Being a representative is very rewarding,

You are supporting fellow members when they need it most.

You can influence changes in the workplace through negotiations and discussions.

You have access to training which develops your skills as a representative.

You get to meet like-minded individuals and work together to influence change.

If you are interested in learning more about the branch join us at one of our branch meetings, they are the first Tuesday of every month ay 1pm.

For more information on the branch please visit our websitewww.blackcountryhealthunison.wordpress.com

orCall the Branch Office: 01902 444209

UNISON offers essential cover to all members as well some exclusive deals and benefits.These include:

Discounted holidays at Croyde Bay

Legal services both at work and at home

Free training

Death and accident benefit Welfare support Offers on insurance Financial services Energy comparison service

There are many more available on the UNISON website.

For more information please go to:https://www.unison.org.uk/member-benefits

MEMBER BENEFITS

COULD YOU BE A WORKPLACE REPRESENTATIVE?

MEMBER BENEFITS

You qualify to become a retired member if you were a UNISON member continuously for at least two years on the day you retire.

It costs just £15 to become a retired member. This one off payment means you can: • Participate in UNISON’s democracy • Have a voice on issues that matter to you • Benefit from a wide range of member discounts that can save you and your family money when you are shopping, buying insurance or looking for a holiday.

As a retired member you can be involved with the branch by:

Coming to the monthly branch meetings and yearly AGM. This is your chance to have your say.

Helping to support campaigns the branch is involved in.

You can work with the retired members’ officer reaching out to more retired members and developing a social network?

Attending the retired members’ conference in October.

For more details please visit the branch website:www.blackcountryhealthunison.wordpress.com

orCall the Branch Office: 01902 444209

Unison Strives to stamp out any type of Hate Crime and post Brexit there has been a rise in race related crimes. Our Regional Secretary is calling for all members to report any hate crimes.

This helps the police to identify areas of concern in our local communities and track patterns of behaviour.

To report any Hate Crime:http://www.report-it.org.uk/report_a_hate_crime

RETIRED MEMBERSHIP

REPORTING HATE CRIMES

REPORTING HATE CRIMES

The Unison Black Country Health Branch have long mourned the absence of our own Social Club. There still are lots of members in the Branch who originally worked at All Saints Hospital in Winson Green and have fond memories of The Anchorage. Equally there are plenty of staff around who worked at Highcroft with many a happy tale to tell of their social club.Currently with NHS workers feeling threatened by cuts and the Government's relentless anti public sector stance we've probably never been more in need of a Social Club. It can't all be protest, we need places to unwind, re-charge our batteries and have fun too.That's why we've come up with the idea of the Unison Black Country Health Branch Mobile Social Club...or Mob Social for short.

We want you to give us ideas of places, events, gigs where our members can go and have a good time with like-minded, warm, welcoming, respectful, fun-loving people. Send us ideas and details and we will put them on the website and in our newsletters.

Cal Doonican is the stage name of our Branch Chair Michael Callaghan who is very lucky to be supporting Local Hero and BBC Radio 6 favourite The HumDrum Express. Also on the bill on Thursday 28th July is Ian Marrey...if you are very observant you may recognise him as superhero charity fundraiser "Black Country Mon".

There is an Oxfam Fundraiser on the afternoon of Sunday 14th August, also at Katie Fitzgeralds, features a number of bands including the fabulous Flying Ant Day.

If you are very good at forward planning another date for your diary is Saturday 17th September, again at Katie Fitzgeralds, where Planet Loco (Ska , Country, Punk & Soul Folkers!) will be playing. The band consists of two nurses and one paramedic, so the NHS is well represented. All five members of the band are union members...and three (including our own Cal Doonican) are Reps. So come on down and swing your pants for a better world!

Details can be found on the branch websitewww.blackcountryhealthunison.wordpress.com

Oxfam Fundraiser 14th Augusthttps://www.facebook.com/events/1622468971397089/

Be part of our very own Olympics, the first UNISON West Midlands

There will be taster sessions in boxing, Brazilian jujitsu, inclusive Zumba, spin

MOB SOCIAL

Regional games.

There is also a guest appearance from Worcester Warriors Rugby Club.

This will be a fun and free community sports day for UNISON members, staff, families and friends.

Events include:Fun family races, five a side football, 5km track race, powerlifting, darts, table tennis and many more events.

class and many more.

To enrol to participate:http://tiny.cc/unisonwmgames

To spectate:http://tiny.cc/uwmgameswatch

For more information contactwmsports@outlook.com or 07584350039

Following the shopping trip the Branch would like to organise another trip for our members. To submit an idea of places that would be of interest to you, please email: helenwilson743@gmail.com

All members need to keep their details up to date. If you change your name, address, workplace, email, telephone number then you need to tell us.

It’s easy to do and can be done online: https://www.unison.org.uk/my-unison. You will need your membership number, you can find it on your UNISON card. If you have

any difficulties you can contact UNISON direct: 0800 0 857 857.

Sent from: UNISON Black Country HealthUNISON Office, Edward Street Hospital, Edward Street, West Bromwich, West Midlands B70 8Nwww.blackcountryhealthUNISON.wordpress.com | 01902 444209 | steve.francis@bcpft.nhs.uk