The GGC Health Branch has a well-established team of trained workplace representatives, senior representatives, and also representatives in Health and Safety, Learning, Equalities and Environment who are available to support you, wherever your base is, and whatever department you work in.

You may already know who your local workplace representative is, and if so you can approach them directly for assistance.

If you do not have a workplace representative in your work area, or if you are a home or hybrid worker, or you do not know who to approach for help and advice, please contact the Glasgow Office on 0141 404 5424, with your membership number and an outline of your issue.

Your details will be checked against our files and that your membership subs are paid and up to date.

Your request for support will then be sent to our convenor who accesses our active stewards list to ensure someone picks up your case.

Your contact details will then be shared with the representative to ensure they contact you in a timely manner to discuss your issue.

The role of Branch Secretary is vital for our democracy. They bring members together – arranging meetings, keeping records and communicating with members. Look after Branch funds – all Branches have their own funds to help meet the costs of day to day running and the secretary (along with the Treasurer) ensures that the finances are correctly recorded and reported. Working with other reps to ensure that the union is strong in their workplace. Ensuring that the Branch has a say in union elections and policy making – submitting nominations and motions for conferences.

Branch Treasurer - Andrew McCready

The treasurer works in conjunction with the Branch secretary to ensure that the finances of the Branch are correctly recorded and reported. They prepare the paperwork for the quarterly audit by the regional administration. The rules allow for the positions of treasurer and secretary to be held by the same person.

Branch Chair - Elaine Quail

The chair presides over all meetings of the branch, keeps order and ensures that business is conducted in accordance with the union’s rules and Branch standing orders. The Chair works closely with the Branch secretary to draw up meeting agendas, verify minutes and signs officials documents; is impartial and is seen to act fairly.

Vice Chair - Annie Hair

Deputises for chair in their absence

Organisation and Recruitment - Andrew Small

Collaborates with reps to arrange events, campaigns, surveys and discuss collective pieces of work to best engage members in the workplace. Organises recruitment opportunities, stalls, walkabouts with Branch representatives to encourage new members to join Unite. Works with communications to best achieve visibility and engagement.

Communications - Kayleigh Quinn

Designs, and writes all forms of communication across a variety of platforms including social media, websites, email, newsletters and poster campaigns, to ensure members are well advised and informed of the Branch work and campaigns and shares wider information on sites promoting the work of the wider union.

Health and Safety - Nikki Bruce

Will lead on investigating potential hazards and dangerous occurrences at the workplace and examine the causes of accidents at the workplace. Investigating complaints by any employee relating to health, safety or welfare at work. Taking up health, safety or welfare issues with the employer. Carrying out regular inspections representing workers in talks with the employer or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or other safety enforcement agencies and get information from them. Attending meetings of safety committees.

Equalities - Subhashini Crerar

The Branch equalities officer raises awareness and promotes equality of opportunity in the Branch; advises and supports members in relation to equality issues; encourages participation of women, Black & Asian Ethnic Minority (BAEM), LGBT+ and disabled members at all levels and promotes education for minority groups.

Environmental - Andrew Small

Working with your employer and members carrying out environmental surveys of the workplace. To encourage and assist members with advice on how to reduce their carbon footprint at work.

Education - Kayleigh Quinn

Raise awareness of the benefits of learning. Encourages fellow workers to take up learning opportunities. Support members in learning. Provide advice and guidance on learning. Secure equal opportunities in learning.

Political Officer - Annie Hair

Must be a member of the labour party and acts as a link between the branch and the political strand of the union.

Are you one for speaking up when you see unfair treatment or point out when you don’t have the tools to do your job?

Maybe you could become a rep and defend your colleagues and fight for a fair and inclusive workplace.

For more information talk to your local rep or call the branch

Negotiations began on July 26th where an initial proposal for 2% for 2024/25 across all bands along with a multiyear deal option was suggested. This was rejected by unions and the Scottish Government came back with an offer of 4.25% across all bands as a one year deal on the 8th of August. Again this was rejected by unions with a final offer of 5.5% being offered. This will be backdated to the 1st of April 2024.

An electronic vote will go out to members on Wednesday the 28th of August, and will be open for three weeks closing on Wednesday the 18th of September.

Unite recommends accept as we believe this is the best that can be achieved through negotiation, however as always it is up to you our members to cast your vote via the ballot.

What to do next:

Please make sure to log into your ‘My Unite’ and check you have your preferred contact email address noted or update this by doing the following:

1. Visit https://myunite.unitetheunion.org/login

2. If you have never signed in online before, click the ‘activate your login’ option. You will need to know your membership number at this point.

3. If you have logged in before, then use your email and password to sign in. If you have forgotten your password, there is an option to request a new one.

4. Once you have logged in, you will be taken to the dashboard where if you scroll down a little, you will see an area labelled ‘Manage My Details’. Here, click the ‘My Profile’ button

5. There will be a range of options that will appear as boxes, click the ‘About You’ one.

6. Here, you will be able to change your contact email address

It is also important to update your preferences to allow unite to contact you by email, or you will not receive a link to vote. To do this:

1. follow step 1 – 4

2. Click the ‘Preferences’ box.

3. Make sure the ‘Allow communication via email’ option has been ticked

If you have any problems, please do not hesitate to get in contact with one of your local reps, who will be able to help you. Alternatively, you can also phone the Glasgow head office on 0141 404 5424 and they will be able to update this information for you.

It has been a long few months, but leading on from the Unite position the 14 trade unions have now agreed to accept.

We can now move forward to implement the agreement as quickly as possible.

It is expected that the pay uplift will take effect immediately and will be reflected in the October pay.

The backdated pay element from April 1st will be reflected in your November pay.

Please see the attached NHS circular for full information and for those who may be in receipt of benefits which may be affected by the back pay element, please have a look at point 10 on the second page and Annex C at the end.