Getting involved
Life does not stop once you stop working - nor does your role in the union. You can keep in touch with old work colleagues, attend branch meetings, take part in campaigns or help in the branch office.Many branches have retired members groups meeting on a regular basis. You can enjoy social events and outings, keep up to date with UNISON campaigns and support issues of concern for older people.
If there is no retired members group in your branch, why not start one? Our booklet "Organising retired members in UNISON branches" will help you.
Your UNISON regional office can put you in touch with your nearest branch or group of retired members.
For an application form, contact UNISONDirect on 0845 355 0845. Membership is either free or you pay a one-off £15 subscription, depending when you joined UNISON.
How we organise
UNISON is unique among British trade unions in having a Retired Members Organisation. Our structure mirrors that of the working members. This means that retired members can participate in UNISON's democratic machinery at all levels.UNISON organises retired members at every level of the union. Retired members can attend branch meetings and have representation on the branch committee and regional council. You can also send representatives to National Delegate Conference.
Retired members committees are also represented on regional councils and able to feed views to the rest of the union. Furthermore, a National Retired Members' Committee meets regularly.
Each year our retired members conference enables retired members from branches to debate the issues important for them and submit two motions to the agenda of the National Conference.
Don't forget
UNISON retired members enjoy all the benefits of UNISON membership including:- Legal advice
- Welfare support
- Special discounts and offers on a wide range of financial and other services
