According to Unite the Union rules reps and branch officials are elected for a three year term. The current cycle ends March 2021 meaning that the branch must hold an election for all reps and branch officials.
The date has not yet been set but will likely be end February/early March 2021. Anyone (current and new) wishing to be a rep and/or a branch official must have 1 nomination and 1 seconder who are fully paid up members of Unite (CEC branch). Additionally, the person seeking the nomination cannot be in arrears of of their union dues.
Unite Scotland’s education team are running courses online on Zoom. This is a great opportunity to get involved in your union.
Our next election period is January to March 2021, when all positions in the branch—from workplace rep to branch official—are up for grabs. Now is the chance to start a new venture, learn important skills and make a real difference in your workplace.
Contact the branch officers with any questions or to discuss what it’s like to be Unite rep.
Roles are varied and diverse, including
- workplace rep
- health and safety rep
- union learning rep
- equalities rep
with dedicated training provided for each.
Dates +
Certificate courses are accredited by Fife College, so you come away with a recognised qualification!
Workplace reps certificate
You must do stage 1 and 2 to become a rep.
Stage 1
- 17 to 21 August
- 24 to 28 August
- 31 August to 4 September
- 14 to 18 September
- 12 to 16 October
Stage 2
- 17 to 21 August
- 21 to 25 September
- 28 September to 2 October
- 19 to 23 October
- 26 to 30 October
- 9 to 13 November
- 7 to 11 December
Stage 3 – for active reps that have completed 1 and 2
- 7 to 11 September
- 14 to 18 September
- 5 to 9 October
- 2 to 6 November
- 9 to 13 November
Stage 4 – for active reps that have completed the other stages
- 7 to 11 September
- 16 to 20 November
- 23 to 27 November
- 30 November to 4 December
- 7 to 11 December
- 14 to 18 December
Health and safety reps certificate
You must complete stage 1 and 2 to become a health and safety rep.
Stage 1
- 24 to 29 August
- 31 August to 4 September
- 7 to 11 September
- 28 September to 2 October
- 5 to 9 October
Stage 2
- 5 to 9 October
- 19 to 23 October
- 26 to 30 October
- 2 to 6 November
- 16 to 20 November
- 7 to 11 December
Stage 3 for active H&S reps
- 17 to 21 August
- 28 September to 2 October
- 19 to 23 October
- 2 to 6 November
- 23 to 27 November
Stage 4 for active H&S reps who have completed all other H&S courses
- 21 to 25 September
- 30 November to 4 December
- 7 to 11 December
Equality and diversity
- 31 August to 4 September
- 5 to 9 October
Union learning reps
Stage 1: 24 to 28 August
Stage 2: 12 to 16 October
Branch officials course
- 24 to 28 August
- 7 to 11 September
- 2 to 6 November
- 9 to 13 November
Mental health awareness
19 and 20 October
Pensions
Stage 1: 7 to 11 September
Stage 2: 9 to 13 November
Apply
Submit the education application form (DOC) to Stephanie.Lamont@unitetheunion.org.
In your email you must confirm that you have
- permission from your employer to do this course, even if working from home or on furlough
- the equipment to take part—a computer or tablet, a free Zoom account and stable internet connection.
Places are given on a first come, first served basis.
Hi , I am a Refuse Collector at Sighthill and have been a member of Unite The Union for a number of years .I am very interested in becoming a Shop Steward.
Hi John
Would be great to have you on board. I think you’ve spoken to one of our reps, so hopefully they’re sorting things out for you.
Unite haven’t released training dates for 2021 yet—we’ll post them here as soon as they do. You need two nominations from your colleagues to become a rep—please send these to the branch secretary at brian.robertson2@unitetheunion.org.
All the best,
Graeme
Hi, I’m interested in becoming a unite rep at my workplace. Would it be possible to forward me further information please? The process, what’s needed etc
Thank you.
Of course, Susanna—there’s an email on its way to you with details.
The basics to becoming a rep are:
—a nomination from two colleagues
—to engage with the branch
—to complete the workplace reps 1 and 2 training to become accredited.
But there are many more ways to work with your branch and much more support on offer.
Hi i am a refuse collector for westlothian Council and would like information on becoming a rep in my work place as we do not have a unite rep in waste thanks.
Thanks for getting in touch Robert—we’ve responded to you by email with details of Unite in West Lothian Council.
Hi I’m a winder operator at Walki Ltd I’m interested in becoming a union representative could you please forward me the information I need thanks
Hi Stephen you should check the main Unite website: https://www.unitetheunion.org/contact-us/ and enquire through there.