Please confirm your attendance for catering purposes.

BECOME A STEWARD

This is your chance to become a Steward and make a difference.

Workplace stewards are at the heart of our union. They are the first point of contact for our members in your local workplace, and they work to make your workplace a fairer and better place to work.

And we need more! We have vacancies in lots of areas at The University of Sheffield. As new ways of working are rolled out across all professional services in the University, we need stewards in as many areas as possible.

 THE ROLE OF A STEWARD INVOLVES:

• Participating in a range of activities including organising, recruiting and representing UNISON members.
• Being involved in how the University of Sheffield UNISON branch is run.
• Being the first and main point of contact for members in your constituency.
• Supporting and advising members on workplace issues, both individual and collective.
• Acting as a spokesperson for the members in your constituency and informing and involving members in branch activities.
• You will receive facilities time in order to carry out your role

You will receive training and support from UNISON in order to carry out your role.

“But I don’t have the skills!”

Ever thought of becoming a steward but you’re worried you don’t have the right skill or the time? Don’t worry – you receive excellent training, plus paid time off work for your union duties.

Here are six common worries you may have about becoming a steward – and how you can overcome them.

I don’t do public speaking……but I do raise issues I am concerned about in team meetings at work.

I don’t do negotiation……but I did complain when my gas bill got too high, and I did sort out a better deal with the company.

I don’t do campaigning……but I did support my local library when it was threatened with closure.

I don’t do recruitment……but I do get my neighbours to support the local school

I don’t organise meetings……but I do organise outings and holidays with my friends and family

I don’t do representation……but I did go to the doctors with my partner to make sure they got their views across.

Sound like you? Your colleagues need you!

Shop Steward Nomination Form 2019

If you would like book an appointment to discuss any issues or concerns please email unison@sheffield.ac.uk

Racial harassment in higher education: our inquiry

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is running two surveys – one for higher education staff and one for higher education students. They want to hear from staff and students who have experienced, witnessed or helped in an incident of racial harassment from September 2015 onwards.

Staff

We welcome individuals meeting the following criteria to participate in the staff survey:

• you were employed as a member of staff, either academic or non-academic, by a publicly funded higher education institution at any time between September 2015 and now
• you worked at publicly funded higher education institution in England, Scotland or Wales
• you experienced or witnessed racial harassment in this setting, or helped someone who was

Complete the racial harassment survey for staff (link to Smart Survey)

The deadline for completing the survey is Friday 15 February 2019.

Help us to help you!

UNISON are carrying out  a survey to find out how you feel about your current level of skills and what skills you think you would want for the future. This survey will help us develop future training courses to support you in your workplaces.

This quick survey will take only 15 mins to complete.  There are no wrong answers, we just want to hear about your views. For taking the time to do the survey you will have the chance to win an all expenses paid weekend trip to Croyde Bay, Devon or the chance of winning £200 or £100 Love2Shop voucher

UNISON SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE SURVEY

Final Winter Fuel Grant Q and A sheet

Final Winter Fuel Grant Application Form

Closing date 15 February 2019

These workshops are FREE for UNISON Members

Women’s Lives Taster Workshops

HUDDERSFIELD Women’s Lives on Saturday 18 May 2019 (apply by 15 April 2019) at St John’s Resource Centre, Huddersfield, HD1 5DX

BARNSLEY Women’s Lives on Saturday 8 June 2019 (apply by 3 May 2019) at Hope House, Barnsley, S70 1AP

Both sessions run from 10am – 3pm

If you would like to attend please email unisonadministrator@shu.ac.uk

Return to Learn Taster Workshops

LEEDS Return to Learn on Saturday 25 May 2019 (apply by 22 April 2019) at Swarthmore Education Centre, Leeds, LS3 1AD

SHEFFIELD Return to Learn on Saturday 15 June 2019 (apply by 10 May 2019) at The Circle, Sheffield, S1 4FW

Both sessions run from 10am – 3pm

If you would like to attend please email unison@sheffield.ac.uk

Everyday Living Everyday Numbers – 12 March 2019

Non-Residential at Commerce House, Leeds

Cost to branches: FREE

Pre-Retirement Workshop – 20 March 2019

This course is aimed at members who are considering retiring in the next 12-18 months

Non-Residential at Commerce House, Leeds

Cost to branches: £10

Confidence Building (Power to be You) – 22 March 2019

Non-Residential at Commerce House, Leeds

Cost to branches: FREE

Assertiveness Habit – 25 April 2019

Non-Residential at Commerce House, Leeds

Cost to branches: FREE