Your membership details and subscriptions

As a general rule it is the responsibility of the member to keep their details up to date, this includes address and other contact details and the level of subscription paid. Please inform the branch office via telephone or email if you need to update your details.

Q. I have recently changed home address, will my details be updated by payroll?

A. No. It is your responsibility as stated in the UNISON rulebook to keep your details up to date. You can either phone or email the branch office to notify us of changes. Please quote your membership number and give us as much detail as possible.

Q. What is my membership number?

A. When you join UNISON you are assigned a membership number and you will have received a membership card. Your membership number is on the membership card.

Q. I have lost my membership card, how do I get another?

A. Please either click here to order a card online or phone or call UNISON direct on 0845 355 0845.

Q. Am I paying the right level of subscriptions?

A. The subscriptions are on a sliding scale so you only pay what you can afford based on your salary. Payments are made monthly and are normally made via deductions from your salary or by direct debit. For a full list of subscription rates please click here.

Q. I have changed my working hours, do I need to inform the branch?

A. You should inform the branch of any changes in your circumstances as any change in your salary could affect your subscriptions. It is the member's responsibility to ensure that their subscriptions are paid on time and at the correct level. Any mistakes could have an impact on your right to assistance from UNISON should you require it. Also you wouldn't want to be paying too much! If you pay by deductions from salary you may need to contact your payroll department to alter your subscription level.

Q. My subscriptions have stopped and no one contacted me to say I am no longer paying. Now I have a problem, what do I do?

A. It is a member's responsibility to ensure that their subscriptions are paid at the correct level and in a timely manner. The branch do keep records of joiners and leavers and if you pay via your salary then there is also this record too. You may be able to pay the subscriptions that you missed in order to receive the full benefits of membership. Contact the branch for further advice. A lot can depend on the length of time that your subs have not been paid. If you pay be deductions from your salary then you may be able to just contact payroll to ask for the subscriptions to be restarted. In some case you may need to complete a fresh membership form. Any legal assistance or representation is always given at UNISON's discretion. UNISON does not look kindly on those who cancel their membership then wish to rejoin when they have a problem.

Q. My subscriptions have stopped without my asking them to stop, how do I become a member again?

A. You can rejoin UNISON but you may be required to pay the subscriptions that you missed in order to receive the full benefits of membership. Contact the branch for further advice. A lot can depend on the length of time that your subs have not been paid. If you pay be deductions from your salary then you may be able to just contact payroll to ask for the subscriptions to be restarted. In some case you may need to complete a fresh membership form.

Q. I am on a reduced salary, what should subs should I be paying?

A. A member whose salary is reduced for any reason for a period of one or more complete months should pay the appropriate subscription based on their pay based on and only during the continuance of such a reduced salary. The branch should be notified of the reduced salary and also again once the salary returns to it's normal level. You may also need to contact your payroll department.

Q. I am long term sick leave and am not being paid, can I still be a member?

A. Yes. Members do not pay subs where leave is unpaid. So you can remain a member free of charge, provided that all your subscriptions are paid up to the date you went on unpaid leave. You should notify the branch immediately of the change in your circumstances and again when you return to being paid or change membership status. If you become medically retired you can pay the retired members subscription. If your employment is terminated and you are not in other paid employment you should pay the unemployed members subscription.

Q. I am on unpaid maternity leave, can I still be a member?

A. Please note that this applies to unpaid maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave, adoption leave, dependants leave, compassionate leave and other unpaid leave. Yes. Members do not pay subs where leave is unpaid. So you can remain a member free of charge, provided that all your subscriptions are paid up to the date you went on unpaid leave. You should notify the branch immediately of the change in your circumstances and again when you return to being paid or change membership status.

Q. I have been made redundant, can I remain a UNISON member?

A. Yes. The rate is £4 a year. You should notify the branch within 6 months of your redundancy/dismissal and can remain an unemployed member and receive the benefits for up to two years from the date of your redundancy/dismissal.