Branch resources review releases survey results

The first findings from the UNISON branch resources review have now been released, giving a clearer picture of just what branches and activists need to be able to do their jobs as well as possible. The review was triggered by a motion at the 2019 national delegate conference, and will examine the branch funding regime and how resources are allocated to branches. The review, which is being led by 24 lay members of the union, will present proposals to national delegate conference in 2021. In February 2020, an online survey was issued to branch secretaries of all branches, with the questions both reflecting the existing UNISON Code of Good Branch Practice and emerging from discussions between the lay members. The union had a total of 843 branches at the time of the survey and responses from 357 branches represented a response rate of over 42%. Response rates varied between regions and between service groups. The response rate was highest in Northern Ireland, closely followed by the Northern region. The local government and health service groups provided the highest response rates. Even after a decade of austerity, branches that did respond felt that they had received the support that they needed to fulfil the main elements of the Code of Good Branch Practice. However, this is now felt to be under threat, with branch officers facing increased pressure, so the review is timely. Most branches scored UNISON highly in its support for key branch functions. Branch activists were also a...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News branch resources review Source Type: news