Become a GMB Workplace Representative

WHAT IS A WORKPLACE REP?

NHS Employees (including those in privately contracted services) are employed across various sites within University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, including Derriford Hospital, Livewell (Mount Gould Hospital), Bush Park, Scott Hospital, Cumberland Centre MIU, and Tavistock MIU.

GMB Workplace Representatives

To GMB members, the workplace representative is seen as ‘the union.’ These representatives are sometimes referred to as ‘Shop Stewards,’ ‘Union Reps,’ ‘Staff Representatives,’ or ‘Organisers.’ Regardless of the title, they serve as the first point of contact for both GMB members and potential members and are essential to the Trade Union’s operations.

GMB members come from all walks of life, working across both the public and private sectors. It is the members who elect their workplace representative to represent and advise them. Despite their varied backgrounds, all members share a common goal: they rely on the union for support when facing issues at work. Workplace representatives are crucial to GMB’s recruitment strategies, both within the workplace and in the wider community.

Recruiting and Organising

The union’s strength in negotiations is directly related to its membership strength in the workplace. GMB’s goal is to achieve 100% workplace membership. It is challenging to claim full representation of the workforce if a significant number of employees are not union members.

Solving Problems

The role of the workplace representative today involves promoting fairness at work, bargaining for better conditions, helping to resolve workplace issues, and addressing health and safety concerns.

Advising Members

Members turn to their representatives for knowledge, experience, and guidance, especially when they encounter problems or feel they are being treated unfairly. The issues on which union representatives spend the most time generally include health and safety matters and the treatment of employees by management.

Interested in Becoming a Workplace Representative?

If you are interested in becoming a workplace representative, please email your details to the Plymouth Health Branch Secretary at enquiry@gmb-plymouth-health.com.

Important Information

If you decide to take on the role of a GMB workplace representative, rest assured that it will not impact your working hours or pay. Your employment contract with the NHS will remain unaffected. The GMB will provide all necessary training, and any time you require for this role must be facilitated by your employer and will be paid.

Complete the application form and return it to the Branch Secretary or the full-time officer by email attachment or post (see the contact page for the address). A GMB officer or the Branch Secretary will then contact you directly.