Unite is Britain and Ireland’s biggest union with 1.42 million members across every type of workplace and all sectors of the economy – private, public and voluntary. The general secretary is Len McCluskey [include a pic of Len].
Unite is the union for the 21st century, meeting the great challenges facing working people today. It has become a powerful, progressive force for good in society and is a democratic and campaigning union which fights for employees in the workplace, protecting workers’ rights.
Unite has taken trade unionism out to millions of workers not in trade unions, including those not in employment or who are in insecure, low paid work within the so-called gig economy.
It is a union that stands up for equality for all and advances the interests of its members on a political and national level.
Unite is also active on a global scale, building ever stronger links with trade unions around the world to confront the challenges of our globalised economy.
http://www.unitetheunion.org/growing-our-union/about-us/
Unite’s values
Unite’s vision is of a prosperous society in which employers and employees work together to build successful businesses and safe, healthy working environments. All those who contribute to their success receive the rewards, respect and recognition they deserve.
Unite’s core values are to be:
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A fighting back union, winning in the workplace
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A campaigning union, making our voice heard
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A growing union, organising for strength
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A members’ union, open and democratic
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A progressive union, a force for a fairer society
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A united and tolerant union, which treats people with dignity and respect
Unite’s structure
Unite is organised across both regions and industrial sectors. By basing its structure around the regions and countries where members live and work, and the workplace sectors they are employed in, every member gets the best representation and service both locally and nationally.
At a regional level, workplace reps, convenors, district and regional officials provide members who have problems or queries with support in the workplace. Regional offices should be the next port of call for members after they have contacted their workplace rep.
The 11 Unite regions are:
East Midlands
Ireland
London and Eastern
North East, Yorkshire and Humberside
North West
Scotland
South East
South West
Wales
West Midlands
Gibraltar
Find out more
http://www.unitetheunion.org/how-we-help/listofregions/
[NB this has a useful map which you might want to lift – I can ask Comms for the file if you do]
Unite has 20 industrial sectors which represent all parts of the UK economy. They are:
Find out more
http://www.unitetheunion.org/how-we-help/list-of-sectors/
Automotive Industries
Aerospace & Shipbuilding
Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Process and Textiles
Civil Air Transport
Community Youth workers and not for profit
Docks, Rail, Ferries & Waterways
Education
Energy and Utilities
Finance and Legal
Food Drink and Agriculture
General Engineering, Manufacturing and Servicing
Government defence, prisons and contractors
Graphical Paper and Media & Information Technology
Health
Local Authorities
Metals (including Foundries)
Passenger Transport
Road Transport Commercial, Logistics and Retail Distribution Service Industries
Service industries
Unite Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians
Executive Council
Unite’s executive council (EC) is the union’s ruling body. Members are elected every three years from each of the industrial sectors, the regions and the five national constituencies. These are:
National Black or Asian ethnic minority seat
National women’s’ seat
National disabled members seat
National LGBT members
National Young members seat
In addition, there are two EC observer seats – retired members and Gibraltar.
Find out more
http://www.unitetheunion.org/growing-our-union/about-us/structure/executivecouncilmembers/