AMICUS - University of Bath

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UNITE

UNITE is the Trade Union representing Technical staff, Estates Staff and Computer Operators working at the University of Bath.

Unite was formed from a merger of Amicus with the Transport and General Workers Union in 2007. We are the largest union in the United Kingdom, with over two million members in the public and private sectors, covering every industrial, occupational and professional sector of the economy.

Membership was initially divided into Amicus and T&GWU sections, but following the successful outcome to the summer 2008 ballot on new rules, December 2008 saw both sections fully merged into one. You can read the rules here.

In July 2008 Unite announced plans to expand into the first 'global' union with the proposed merger with the United Steel Workers (USW) union. The merger will create an organisation representing three million working people in Britain, Ireland, the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. Read about the agreement.

Unite has 100 members on campus and our committee is involved in consultation and negotiation with the University management on the ongoing pay modernisation process, health and safety, environmental issues, transport and terms of service. Departmental reps. act as a vital link between support staff and management and are available to give advice and represent members' interests as difficulties or disputes arise.

Nationally the union sits on the Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES), the body responsible for national pay bargaining. The 2006 agreement proved to be an excellent deal for university staff, encompassing salary rises totalling over 15% over the last three years.

All members of staff benefit from the improvements worked for by the trade unions, but only a few make a contribution to that work. With a larger membership our influence will be greater, and we can do more. Do yourself a favour and join us.