I've been paying into Unison since I stated my current employment (18 years) and understand that monthly fees depend on what your salary is.
When on maternity leave do subs stay the same based on your normal salary or get reduced because you're taking home less?
My rep (who is also branch secretary) isn't really sure and Payroll said they've never come across this before!
A bit of Googling and I've found this on a local Unison website:
^Q. Am I paying the right level of subscriptions?
A. The subscriptions are on a sliding scale so you only pay what you can afford based on your salary. Payments are made monthly and are normally made via deductions from your salary or by direct debit.
AND
Q. I am on a reduced salary, what should subs should I be paying?
A. A member whose salary is reduced for any reason for a period of one or more complete months should pay the appropriate subscription based on their pay based on and only during the continuance of such a reduced salary. The branch should be notified of the reduced salary and also again once the salary returns to it's normal level. You may also need to contact your payroll department.
AND
Q. I am on unpaid maternity leave, can I still be a member?
A. Please note that this applies to unpiad maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave, adoption leave, dependants leave, compassionate leave and other unpaid leave. Yes. Members do not pay subs where leave is unpaid. So you can remain a member free of charge, provided that all your subscriptions are paid up to the date you went on unpaid leave. You should notify the branch immediately of the change in your circumstances and again when you return to being paid or change membership status.^
However, I'm not taking any unpaid leave, I'm spreading my maternity payments evenly over the 9 months I'm off work.
Coming out of the Union whilst I'm off work isn't an option and I'm looking for replies from people in Unison only.