Becoming a union steward (NHS)

[Tirednurse1]

Hi

was just wondering if anyone who has worked for the NHS and become a union rep/steward could give me some insight into what it entails.

It is something I’ve always been interested in, and have made very preliminary enquiries about.

I’m a staff nurse as my username suggests🤣

Thanks

Sitting in meetings with union members who are having disciplinary hearings, sickness meetings. Supporting staff who are suspended on full pay. It's very worthwhile

@cricketwidoww
thanks for your reply, very useful.

I emailed a few questions about the process to the union and they replied very promptly - I think they might be quite short of union stewards but seem to have a good amount of training and shadowing.

Not in the NHS, but a union rep in various teaching unions since the 1980s.
What cricketwidow said. You may well get time off for union duties and/or training as a rep.

It's worthwhile work. I really enjoyed it, once I'd picked my jaw up off the floor at the contempt for staff shown by managers in meetings.
✊

Oops. Cross-posted.

@echt thanks really useful. The contempt I see from superiors to my colleagues in the workplace already disgusts me - part of what spurred me to make contact with the union

I’ve been an NHS union steward & branch chair. I did 15 years. Here is my honest take:

• it’s really rewarding and you will be able to support colleagues through some tough times.
• sometimes the people you represent (never defend, just represent) will lie, and you will end up looking like an absolute dickhead.
• you will find things out about peoples professional behaviours that will shock you. Usually mgt not ward colleagues.
• this will have an impact on your career. It means you’ve seen the hidden side of them and it does make progression harder - because you become the thorn in their side (whether you want to or not).
• you will get to know people in every dept and it’s great fun and great networking.
• you’ll go to some fab conferences and training courses
• you will deal with some truly harrowing situations. Harrowing.
• you will likely have to fight your line mgr for time for union duties. Yes it’s protected time under the facilities agreement but no matron can afford to lose a nurse from the ward. Ever.

would I do it again? No. It affected my career progression. I had a ball but long term and selfishly it wasn’t worth it. I’m really proud of some of the really complex cases i represented (including at NMC & board level), but those people have gone on with their careers whilst I became ‘that union rep’

think carefully and good luck.

@AgathaMystery

Thanks for your detailed and honest response

I live in a part of the UK and department in which career progression is ‘dead man’s shoes’. I am concerned about potential career progression but also have a burning need to do more than I am currently in relation to current workplace bullying / poor culture/ issues. Despite being regulated professionals I have recently discovered an alarming number of non unionised staff. I realise I may not be able to do much more as a rep but feel it’s a start.

Again thanks so much x

I did this OP - many moons ago, as a staff side representative, not as a full time union steward ie. I remained in my Clinincal role but did union work "on the side" IYKWIM.
Very interesting role.
I was given good training and had full time Officers to call on for help and advice.
Puts you in a good position to raise staff issues to Managers and good Managers will utilise your knowledge regarding changes and the potential impact for staff so that problems can be addressed before they become problems.
The hardest part, for me, was securing dedicated time off for union work - I would imagine that must be even harder now with staffing levels as they are.
I have to say in all honesty, maybe I was lucky but I never saw any contempt for staff by Managers in my workplace.
Managers have a job to do and if a staff member has made a cock up it's the manager's job to address that and take steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Sickness meetings are tricky.
Staff can't help being ill but similarly, the service can't run without staff.
You can end up being regarded as a bit of a "piggy in the middle" with some folk.
Managers can be a bit wary of you because you're the Union rep and sometimes staff can feel a bit the same way because "you're always talking to the Managers".
I enjoyed it but wouldn't want to be a full time Officer - though, I was asked to apply for a post when one came up - so I must have done something right.
Good luck if you do decide to take it on.

@Wingedharpy

thanks for your reply

The role would be steward duties alongside my full time clinical role. I work in an incredibly short staffed area, and if not my area we get moved to other hospitals - my research suggests at best it would be TOIL.

At present I think my manager (by nhs standards) is pretty good, I hope they will not change as a result of my taking up union duties - a previous union rep (different union - now left) said they were generally supportive.

There has been a few issues however where colleagues have attended meeting with no reps (or anyone else ) to feel ambushed by a panel of band 7s/band 8As. I feel the culture is moving away from good TU representation through lack of knowledge - I hope to have a small effect on this.

Thanks everyone, filled in the forms and getting my signatures when back at work - considered it long and hard and going to go for it

I'm a rep in an education union and I enjoy it. Supporting people is worthwhile and as pp have said, you see an interesting side to others. Not had any issues with time off either luckily and although the training is good, the best thing was meeting other reps and hearing the whys and hows of their school issues.

You can always step back if it's not for you but you sound like you have decided!

I'm a rep although not in the NHS. Good for you for making the decision. It will be really hard work. My top tip is to avoid giving out your own phone number or email address for as long as you possibly can. You will get messages in the middle of the night otherwise. Also, remember you can't fix everything, sometimes it just isn't possible. Finally members don't understand that just because they've been treated unfairly, it doesn't always mean they've been treated unlawfully so try and help them be realistic about thinking about constructive dismissal claims and employment tribunals in general. Above all else, ask other reps if you need help, the more you network the easier it will be. Good luck