Regional Young Members’ Forum
Yorkshire and Humberside
Spring 2017
Contents
Welcome... Welcome to the regional young members newsletter. We are a group of young people in UNISON who get together to organise activities and campaigns aimed at getting more young members involved in our union and addressing the issues facing young workers. UNISON really wants to hear from its young members and we have representatives at all levels of the union – join us and you could be one of them!
PAGES 2-3 Meet the Regional Reps How to get involved PAGE 4 AGM & Comedy Event
Social Events & AGM The regional group will be having their AGM followed by an evening of politically inspired comedy at 4pm on 22nd April in Leeds – we’d love to see you there.
“The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter” – Mark Twain Our colleague and fellow young member, Ben Mayor organised a similar event last year with bands and discussions which was really well received.
“With more jobs being based on zero-hour contracts and exploited self-employed workers, unions are very important for young workers to fight back for their employment rights and fair pay. Events such as these are great opportunities for young workers to socialise and mobilise.” Around fifty people turned up to enjoy a UNISON-sponsored gig for young and potential members at the Fenton pub in Leeds an event
which was more than just about music and comedy.
Last year’s Young Member’s music and comedy event
Our meetings and events for 2017 are: 22nd April Regional Group AGM and Comedy Night, see back page May (TBC) Young Members Weekend 8th July Durham Miners July (TBC) Regional Meeting 5th August Doncaster Race Day 2nd September Training day (Campaigning) 14th October Regional Meeting November TUC Young Members Month www.tuc.org.uk/equality-issues/young-workers/young-workers-month 20th January 2018 AGM meeting
Meet the Regional Reps – “ALL Y Heather Briggs
Ruby Nicholson-Pallett
Hi Everyone! I’m Heather Briggs and I job share as a national regional representative for Yorkshire and Humberside Young Members which enables me to raise issues at a Regional and National level (such as workplace conditions, housing, pay etc.) Being part of UNISON allows you to develop your skills and knowledge such as communication, problem-solving and confidence building. There are lots of chances to meet other people and get involved, such as our regional social events, Young Members Weekend and various conferences and seminars held throughout the year. This gives you the opportunity to meet other Young Members and also more experienced members who can offer advice (and it’s all paid for by the Union, including travel!)
Hi, I’m Ruby Nicholson-Pallett, one of the convenors for the Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Young Members Forum (or RYMF for short!). There are over 6,000 young UNISON members in the region and the convenors are here to organise and campaign on young members issues – but we need your input! Our meetings give us chance to network with young people from all over the region and to share our experiences and ideas. I get the opportunity to attend conferences at national level and I’ve found other UNISON members are really interested in what young people have to say. Feeling like nobody listens to us is a big problem for young people, yet representing my region makes me feel like I have a voice.
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YOUNG BUT NOT ALL THE SAME” Kuleana Rowan My name is Kuleana Rowan and I am a Young Members Activist in the Yorkshire & Humberside Region. I first joined UNISON when I was an apprentice at my local council after witnessing the cuts and struggles at work. Discovering what is affecting us in and outside of work really pushed me to become active. I am now the Branch Young Members Officer, a regional convenor for the Young Members group and I represent the Yorkshire & Humberside Region on the National Committee. Young Members are the future of UNISON and we can really make a difference. I believe we struggle to be heard and yet we have a vital contribution to make. Younger leaders, activists and young members are so important to the union and each Young Member is given the opportunity to be as active as they wish to be. UNISON provides great free training and courses tailored to us and the opportunity to socialise with other Young Members from all over. There are many challenges in the workplace and so that the union can grow it is crucial that we are given the opportunity to share our voice.
Y&H Young Members: How to get involved... Do you want to make a positive contribution? Are you interested in developing your skills? Come along to our AGM on the 22nd April (see back page), we’re an informal group so there’s no pressure to speak or volunteer (unless you want to!). We need ordinary young people, like you, to work together to get things done that are important to us as young people and to make positive changes for other young workers. Getting involved means that you’ll have a voice on important issues such as: • Working conditions and pay • How the union works and what policies it pursues • Community Issues – things that have a direct impact on the lives of our members and their families. UNISON members have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities, from employment law and stewards training to confidence building and assertiveness. Want more info? Contact George on g.ayre@unison.co.uk or Jo on j.turnbull@unison.co.uk or 0113 218 2322 3
Regional Young Members Group AGM* and Comedy Night
A NIGHT OF POLITICAL COMEDY Saturday 22nd April 2017 - 6 til late
COMEDY NIGHT! Rahul Kohli
New Act of The Year award winner January 2017 “Dripping with erudite genius” – Fest Magazine
Don Biswas
Starring:
“A phenomenal gag teller with an engaging stage persona” – Hecklers Comedy Club
Rosa Kincaid Lorna Faye Dunsire
With the music of and poetry by
£5 non-UNISON members £3 UNISON members FREE to all attendees of the under-27 UNISON regional AGM* Parkside Tavern, St Johns House, Merrion St, Leeds LS2 8JE Start time: 6pm *AGM will be taking place from 4pm across the road in UNISON’s Regional Office, Commerce House, Wade Lane, Leeds LS2 8NJ
HOSTED BY YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE UNISON YOUNG MEMBERS