Understanding Your Union - NEW! (Taunton)

This online course is for UNISON members only.

A new half day workshop aimed at new UNISON activists (representatives or active members) This is an orientation on how UNISON is member-led and how member democracy works:

It will cover:

How UNISON’s structures work

• How decisions are made at all levels of the union

• The importance of Annual General Meetings and Conferences

• How members can get involved

• The importance of your Branch in UNISON Democracy

Wednesday 1 July 2026 | 09:30-12:00 | UNISON's Taunton Regional Office:

UNISON South West
Ground Floor
2 Tangier Central
Castle Street
Taunton
TA1 4AS

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Declarations: Please read:

By signing up to this UNISON course I understand it is free to me as a UNISON member but that it does incur a cost to my branch / my union. I understand that if repeated non-attendance is to occur without notifying the learning team that my place will be offered to alternative applicants in the future.

Guidance Working Together Guidelines

-UNISON Southwest Working Together Guidelines

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Our commitment

UNISON is committed to the fullest possible participation of all its members in the activities of the trade union. On trade union education courses and events, delegates should not be put off from taking part because of the actions, attitudes, or language of other attendees. The following guidelines have been drawn up to help delegates meet UNISON's commitment to the full participation of all its members in a practical and constructive way. You will see that underlying this guide is a commitment to the principle that everyone has equal rights to benefit from, to contribute to and enjoy the course. We assume that course members will agree with these principles and hope the guidelines will assist in putting them into practice.

Working Together guidelines

A key feature of trade union education is the value it places upon the knowledge, experience, and skills that each attendee brings with them - both in terms of their trade union work and everyday lives. It is important that everyone feels equal and able to contribute if they so wish.

Please:

• Listen to what others have to say and avoid being dismissive

• Wait until a speaker has finished and do not interrupt

• Aim to have reasoned discussion, not arguments

• Any criticism should be constructive and help delegates to develop confidence, skills, and knowledge

• Make your own contribution as clear and brief as possible and do not dominate the discussion

• Ensure that everyone who wishes to speak is given encouragement and the opportunity to do so

• It is equally important that members on the course can speak openly about problems they or their members have experienced in the full knowledge that personal or sensitive information is restricted to the classroom

• Confidentiality must be respected

Language

UNISON aims to be inclusive of all its members, enabling them to take part in all our activities. This brings with it a responsibility for all of us to make sure that we do not use language that others might find offensive. This means thinking about, for example, how you talk about individuals or groups. It means avoiding making statements, comments, or jokes that are based on your own or others’ prejudice about individuals or groups of people. Body language is also an important part of communication and should not be used to interrupt or disconcert speakers.

Jargon

Jargon is a barrier to good communication. The more we become involved in trade union work the more likely we are to use jargon. Take care to explain any jargon or initials you use that others may not be familiar with, so that everyone understands what you are talking about. Please feel ok to ask out if jargon is used and for it to be explained.

Harassment

To ensure the full participation of all attendees, there must be no harassment of any kind. In general terms, harassment is unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of the person, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person, if it could be considered to have that effect. What is important is not necessarily the action, but how the recipient feels about what has been done. It may be related to age, disability, gender reassignment, race, maternity, pregnancy, marital or civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any personal characteristic of the individual, and may be persistent or an isolated incident. Harassment creates an unpleasant or intimidating atmosphere and should be challenged.

Time Keeping

Please ensure that you arrive to the event in plenty of time, especially if you are new to the area where the course is being held this can allow the session to start on time and unnecessary interruptions can be avoided.

If you arrive late, or early please try not to disturb the session and if possible, advise the course administrator, tutor, facilitator, or person running the course/event.

Use of social media / mobile phones / tablets and other electronic devices

Please try not to use any of the above during the session (unless being used to enable you to join the event) as this can distract you from fully taking part in the session and miss aspects of the course. If you need your phone on during the meeting, please notify the tutor/facilitator/person running the event, otherwise Please switch them off

Recording of events

At times UNISON may want to record a session; if this is happening on the workshop/event that you are attending, you will have advance notice and permission from the Southwest Education Team would have been agreed prior to the session. You will be notified in pre-course information and at the start of the session that the event is being recorded.

You may be asked to complete a form around photographs being taken at the event. If you have any questions about this please do not hesitate to ask.

Smoking and e-cigarettes (In person events)

Smoking or use of e-cigarettes is not permitted in UNISON events and we would appreciate it if you do not smoke or use e-cigarettes during online events. A dedicated area will be available and the location of this will be given to you at the beginning of the event.

Conclusion

These guidelines are intended for you to use during the course or event to counter problems as they arise, and to ensure that no-one feels excluded from the course because of language, actions, or attitudes of other course members. They also look to promote UNISON's policies on discrimination and equal opportunities in a positive way as far as the conduct of trade union education courses are concerned. If you have any concerns about anything regarding these guidelines, please speak to the tutor/facilitator, event organiser or contact the Education and Equalities Team

GDPR & data privacy

Please take a look at our website regarding GDPR for UNISON Branches, where you will also find links to other documents regarding GDPR.

Points to consider

Please let us know on the booking form if you have any additional needs that we can support you with to enable you to fully participate in the event.

Enquiries

If you have any queries around this event or our learning offers in general please do not hesitate to contact us.

Email: [email protected]

Course Enquiries: 01823 285 324

Online: https://southwest.unison.org.uk/events/

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Host or Publisher UNISON SW Education Member Learning Team