NHS Sussex Branch

About

The Central Sussex Hospitals branch of UNISON is a branch of the largest public service trade union in the UK.

We have 1,250 members who work within healthcare, representing nursing, ancillary, professional, technical, managerial, administrative and clerical staff at all levels.

Most of our members work for Brighton and Sussex University NHS Trust. However, we also have members working for over other local healthcare providers, and are the host branch for Nursing and Midwifery students studying at the University of Brighton. UNISON also holds the majority of officership positions on national negotiating bodies and is the leading union of local level in the NHS.

We support individual members with help, advice and representation in the workplace. Where we are recognised by the employer, such as BSUH NHS Trust, we also negotiate on all staff terms and conditions.

What UNISON does:

Representing members

Representing our members is a key part of UNISON’s work. Our reps form the vital links between members and the union as a whole and are volunteers, trained by UNISON to support members at work.

Negotiating and bargaining

Negotiation and bargaining is the process of talking to employers and making agreements with employers when workers are unhappy with pay or working conditions.

Campaigning

Campaigning is a vital part of our work. It is one method we use to raise awareness of issues, fight for employment rights and gather support for local, national and international issues.

Fighting for fairness and equality

One of UNISON’s main aims is to help workers fight for fairness and equality in the workplace and beyond. Challenging discrimination and winning equality is at the heart of everything UNISON does.

Learning and training

UNISON offers learning and training covering a wide variety of subjects. Many of the courses are subsidised or free and you may be entitled to time off work to attend them.

Working internationally

UNISON works with individual unions and global union federations around the world to defend public services, fight against austerity and defend human and trade union rights wherever they are under attack.

History:

The union was formed in 1993 when three public sector trade unions, the National and Local Government Officers Association (NALGO), the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) and the Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE) merged.

The Central Sussex Hospitals branch was formed from a merger of the Brighton District Health branch and the Mid Sussex Health branch at the time when the former Brighton Healthcare NHS Trust and the Mid Sussex NHS Trust amalgamated to become Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.