UNISON ERSKINE: a major contributor to a new national service group

Michael Betan is the Senior Steward for the major Scottish charity, Erskine Homes. Micahel has just been elected as Convenor of Community stewards in the NHS Glasgow, Clyde & Voluntary sector branch. Below we print a copy of an article from Erskine’s staff magazine.

Following the creation earlier this year of UNISON’s National Community Service group, Erskine Members will be able to benefit greatly within this exciting new arena.

Prior to this new sector being formed, all health care workers were governed by UNISON’s Health group which is mostly dominated by large organisations such as the NHS Senior Steward Michael Betan explained:

“Although the health branches endeavoured gallantly to represent their members who are employed in the private or voluntary sector, many of the issues faced by those who work in care homes like Erskine, were often diluted with the major issues faced by those employed within the NHS.”

“One of the Community Service group’s core principles is to give UNISON care home workers a more powerful voice, recognising the uniqueness of many of the associated difficulties and challenges the voluntary sector has to face”

“In previous years I have often been extremely frustrated towards playing a key part of health care based negotiations with the outcomes of those negotiations being non applicable to the members I represent at Erskine. Those days are over now and it is with delight and pride I have been appointed to the post of Area Convenor for the NHS Glasgow, Clyde & Voluntary Sector branch.”

“I truly believe my appointment will greatly increase the quality of representation I can deliver to the Erskine membership. Although I am now accountable to all UNISON stewards employed within the branch, I remain highly motivated to cater for those employed on my “home turf.”

“As ever, the relationship between UNISON and Erskine continues to be improved upon and I hope the added resources which accompany my role of Convenor should stand as an asset towards this exercise. With first class contributions from Steve Simpson, our new Director of HR and his entire HR team, we are venturing into a highly positive programme of improvement, inclusive of the creation of a true partnership agreement.”

“The key to a correctly functioning partnership between the employer and UNISON is to gain inclusion, earn trust and deliver openness and transparency within our discussions and negotiations. If these attributes can be welcomed and reciprocated at Chief Executive / Board level, I would be very optimistic towards achieving a much more practical, harmonious and improved relationship.”

Any employees who wish to join UNISON can do so by contacting Michael c/o McKellar House, Erskine Home.