Unite is a member-led union. When there is an important decision we need to ballot you, our members, to find out what you think. The key ballot is the one for the annual pay award.
There are two types of ballots in the process:
Consultative ballot
A consultative ballot asks if you agree with something—for example if you accept or reject a pay offer.
This is done by
- email, if we have one on file for you
- text message
- post if we don’t have an email or mobile number for you.
If the majority of our members reject something, then the next step is an industrial action ballot to find out what you want to do about it.
Industrial action ballot
An industrial action ballot asks if you are willing to take industrial action over an issue.
This is done by post only—this is a legal requirement due to the Tories’ Trade Union Act 2016.
The ballot can ask if you are willing to take
- strike action
- action short of a strike, this includes things such as work to rule or overtime bans.
To get a mandate to take industrial action at least 50% of the members entitled to vote in the ballot must vote. Due to this it is essential that we have your correct details.
Make sure your details are correct
In order to take industrial action it is crucial that we have your correct
- workplace
- job title
- home address
- contact details.
Update your details on MyUnite or call the office on 0131 556 9676.
When giving your details:
- employer is either City of Edinburgh Council or Pertemps if you are agency staff
- workplace is your physical work location
- job title must be descriptive, even if it is not your formal title. For example, ‘Refuse Driver’ rather than ‘Driver’, ‘ICT Development Officer’ rather than ‘Development Officer’.