Dear Colleagues,

I am proud to be re-elected chairperson of UNISON Community and Voluntary Branch for 2009.

Following a very successful AGM (click here to view AGM 2009 in photos) I would like to make all of you aware of what has been happening in your UNION over the last year, and some of what we have planned for the future.

We have, over the last twelve months began putting the structure of what we hope will become a multifaceted branch in place for you, the member. Some of those developments include:

The appointment of an international officer, Pádraic Mac Coitir who was successfully re elected this year. Pádraic has been intimately involved in UNISON spearheading various solidarity campaigns throughout the year, not least on the issue of Palestine of late. Click here to read International report

The building and launching of the Virtual Branch Project which gives you, the member, immediate access to the services UNISON provides in the community and voluntary sector. It also, more importantly, gives you the chance to interact with the UNION like never before. Headed up by project manager, Seán Brady, this tool will continue to grow as an integrated part of our community and voluntary Branch. Click here to read Virtual branch report

The development of three campaigns focussed on Community Safety, Health and Social Deprivation, and Community Regeneration which will govern all that we do in the coming year.

And as always, our organisers, shop stewards, and representatives had been involved in many work place campaigns and grievances on behalf of our members, securing fair conditions and a better work life for all, irrespective of race, gender, sexuality, politics or religion.

So as we move into the next twelve months of work and activism, I would like to call on everyone to give a little as we try to build a network of activists in our sector – engage with the online forums and give us your ideas, attend our rallies and demonstrations and public events, stand up for the workers in your workplace, take on opportunities for training and education through ULEARN life long learning.

Let’s build a community and voluntary branch to support our members in the sector and which can radically alter the communities in which we live and work, for the better.

In the words of Aesop the Greek Slave – United we stand, Divided we fall.

Let’s stand together.

Niall Enright

Chairperson – UNISON COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY BRANCH