Welcome to Gateshead UNISON, Local Government Branch

Welcome to our website which has been specifically designed for Gateshead UNISON Local Government branch members and includes staff within Gateshead Council, Gateshead College, Baltic, Gateshead Housing Company and the voluntary sector. UNISON negotiates for better pay and conditions, helps members in trouble and campaigns for a safer and fairer society. We aim to cover all issues that affect us in Gateshead and need your views to keep the website regularly updated.

Let us know if you have any comments, good or bad, so we can improve the site. We hope you like it!

About UNISON

UNISON is Britain and Europe's biggest public sector union with more than 1.3 million members. Our members are people working in the public services, for private contractors providing public services and in the essential utilities. They include frontline staff and managers working full or part time in local authorities, the NHS, the police service, colleges and schools, the electricity, gas and water industries, transport and the voluntary sector.

About Us

Gateshead UNISON Local Government Branch represents around 5,000 members within Gateshead Council, The Gateshead Housing Company, Gateshead College, Ofsted, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the voluntary sector.

We are committed to negotiating the best possible conditions locally for our members. We represent in excess of 500 members a year in relation to sickness, disciplinary and investigatory interviews and provide advice and guidance on a daily basis.

We have over 80 active stewards who represent members in all the services. We could always do with more, especially women and other under represented groups, black members and disabled members.

How UNISON Works

Every member of UNISON belongs to a local branch which is made up of people working for the same employer ­ or sometimes working for the company which is used by the main employer.

People like you
Your branch brings you together with other employees who face common issues in the workplace. Branches enable you to get support from the union, work with your colleagues and make your views felt in UNISON.

Workplace stewards and health and safety representatives are the core of the branch. Without them there would be no union to support you at work and negotiate for a better deal.

Member Offers & Entitlements

Rulebook benefits
UNISON's rules govern the way the union runs and how various parts of the union, including branches, regions, service groups and membership groups work. They also outline the rights and responsibilities of members as well as the benefits available to members.

Croyde Bay Holiday Village
Croyde Bay Holiday Village is situated on the north Devon coast and has been owned and operated by UNISON for more than 80 years. It is a popular addition to the benefits of UNISON membership, offering competitive rates, with special discounts for UNISON members and families. There are additional discounts for low-paid UNISON members.

Legal services
We offer a number of legal services to members and their families, for help with issues within and outside of the workplace. This includes assisting with workplace problems, injury claims, clinical negligence and free legal advice, wills and conveyancing.

Exclusive deals and offers
UNISON members are entitled to a range of exclusive deals and discounts that we have negotiated with a number of suppliers. We choose reputable companies that provide value and good customer service. These UNISON Plus deals add real value to UNISON membership: over time members can save the cost of their UNISON contributions many times over.

Other member benefits
Other member benefits include professional indemnity insurance of up to £1 million for NHS staff; book grants and small financial grants and a free quarterly members' magazine.

Find out about all the details here.

Join UNISON Now

Most people join a union because they want protection at work - help with pay and conditions of service, legal or health and safety advice or representation in case things go wrong at work. That’s what we’re here for.

Join UNISON now.