The third sector refers to the range of organisations that are neither public sector nor private sector. This often comprises non-governmental and non-profit-making organisations or associations, including charities, voluntary and community groups and cooperatives. A survey conducted by TUC found that many charity workers did not think they could join a union because of their sector, however this is not the case at all. In the UK, all workers are entitled to join a union. They cannot be discriminated against for being a union member, and are legally protected to undertake trade union activity. You also do not have to tell your employer if you are a member. Third sector workers are just as entitled to fair wages, benefits, and better working conditions as other workers. In this article, we will be looking at how charity unions can achieve this and what is it precisely that they can do for workers. Who is a Charity Union for? A charity union is designed to help third sector workers who are driven to fight social injustice and need support to safeguard their rights as workers. Examples of workers who could be supported by a union include:
Common Issues Charity Workers Face
Charity workers have faced increased demands for their services. This is particularly the case during the Coronavirus pandemic. Intense working hours, lack of funding and mental health-related burnout can contribute to a challenging work experience. Charity workers are at particular risk of facing:
What Do Charity Unions Do? The purpose of charity unions is to better conditions for workers. Whether this relates to pay, safety or general health, charity unions can also provide:
Charity workers are on the frontline of vital social and political issues at the national and international levels. However, with cuts to state funding, providing aid can be a difficult and consuming role. But that doesn’t mean that they should receive the same help and support as other workers. To find out more about what a union can do for you, consider joining our community.
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Charity workers often put their hearts and souls into their jobs. Because of their commitment to the cause, it’s not uncommon for workers in this sector to work long hours and go above and beyond. They also often work for low pay.
Unions could be an excellent step for charity workers to control their workplaces and ensure their rights. But as it stands, many still don’t even know that unions represent their sector. There is cause to rejoice: Charity unions are present and active across the UK, including the Community’s own Third Sector union. The State of Charity Unions Back in 2010, over 22% of voluntary organisation employees were members of a trade union. Membership in this sector has soared over the last two decades. Some of these memberships come across from the public sector when their employers outsource their work to voluntary organisations. Unions can offer charity workers increased security if they are worried about losing their jobs and provide assistance in the case of pay cuts or worsening job terms. Another reason charity unions enjoy popularity amongst workers is that many charity employees come into the sector from health and social care roles in which they often suffer poor conditions. They may have few professional qualifications and have, in the past, been expected to work long hours in stressful situations with very little recognition or fair pay. Partnership with a charity union for personnel departments in the voluntary sector can help them attract and maintain a high-quality workforce. This is achieved by improving staff participation, training opportunities, improved conditions and communication. What Kind of Jobs are Covered by the Voluntary Sector? If you’re unsure whether your current role is covered by the third sector, read on! These are job opportunities in the voluntary sector that can benefit from a charity union membership:
How Do Workers in the Charity Sector Benefit from Joining a Charity Union? The charity sector is one where work is often met with great passion and a sense of purpose. Historically, this means that those who work in the industry the third sector covers your current role appreciate that they often put their own benefits aside to help others. The goal of a charity union, in this case, is not to help employees argue with the charities they passionately support. Instead, charity unions protect employees rights whilst helping those organisations find better ways to engage and maintain their passionate workers and facilitate better conditions. Our charity union does this by offering members:
Working with Good Employers in the Charity Sector Employers in the charity sector face a wide range of challenges. The coronavirus pandemic will have a long-term impact on all industries. We know that as a charity, you rely on your beneficiaries and your passionate staff. In small charities, workers often feel uncomfortable raising issues. But the constructive dialogue in the workplace can help charities create more sustainable working conditions and support their workers. At Community, our focus in the charity sector lies in working with good employers to improve working practices across the industry. This is why our memberships continue to grow every year. In addition, organistions of varying sizes and causes have signed recognition agreements with our charity union, which means that we can engage with organisations regarding pay, terms and conditions. You’re working towards a brighter future for others, and we want to help with that. So approach organisations on your own if you’re going to find out more about support for those working with you in the third sector. Or talk to us about collaborating with your organisation to secure a collective voice at your workplace. Community is a finance sectorunion that represents and supports its members working in the finance sector, consider relocating their business operations, including banking, fintech and insurance.
This includes anyone who works directly in the finance sector or related administrative, office, sales or professional roles. Our extensive experience and understanding of the finance sector mean we are ideally placed to support, negotiate, advocate for and represent our members working in this sector. Our experience in this sector goes back decades. We have a long and established history of representing white-collar workers, middle-managers and professional workers in the finance sector. Campaigning for Finance Sector Workers No industry has remained untouched by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. This includes the finance sector. As a finance sector union, we work on behalf of our members to ensure they are fully protected and represented when facing challenges at work, including as a result of Coronavirus and Brexit. For example, the threat of job losses for workers whose employers are considering relocating their business operation to a European destination post-Brexit. At the time of writing, there were 1.1 million people in the UK working in the financial services sector. That’s 3.2% of all jobs. Other difficulties include finance workers being furloughed by their employer, with 24% of finance employers furloughing staff due to the Coronavirus pandemic. While it will take time before the full impact of Brexit and COVID-19 is fully realised, Community is working hard behind the scenes to ensure its finance sector members are fully protected. Our Work Doesn’t Stop There Aside from the above major issues, Community is a finance sector union that actively campaigns on behalf of its members affected by current and more common challenges and difficulties such as:
...And much more. Community negotiates on behalf of its finance sector members to secure better workplace terms and conditions, including longer holidays, equal pay and improved policies and practices. If you’re working in the finance sector and experiencing one or more of the issues we’ve raised here, or something more specific to your own situation, joining Community will give you protection, advice and benefits. It’s our job to improve your workplace conditions and negotiate on your behalf. Our team of trained specialist advisers have unique experience in the finance sector, so they give you the best support and advice that you need. Joining Community is Easy Becoming part of the Community family is as easy as 1,2,3. You can do any of the following: Contact our Service Centre on 0800 389 6332 or Send an email to [email protected]. or Write to us: Suite 7/8, 2nd Floor, Elgar House, Green Street, Kidderminster, DY10 1JF or If you have a Community rep at your workplace, ask them for a membership form to sign up. It’s really that simple; even if no one else at your workplace is a trade union member, you can still join. Being a Community member means you’re never alone with your workplace issue. Our finance sector members gain access to experienced advice from our Members service centre. In addition, our specialist teams have a solid understanding of issues faced by finance sector workers today. We also have regional teams and workplace representatives for additional support and advice. If you are a member of Community or are thinking about joining a finance sector union and need help or advice, please contact us at [email protected] or on 0800 389 6332. In 2014, UK justice secretary Chris Grayling sparked a series of controversial reforms that ‘semi-privatised’ parts of the country’s probation services.
The £3.7 billion probation reforms saw the sector split into two parts: The National Probation Service (NPS), which managed high-risk criminals, and another area run by 21 private companies that supervised 150,000 low-to-medium risk offenders. Under this scheme, companies had to bid to win million-pound contracts to run these privatised rehabilitation companies. When the reforms were implemented just seven years ago, they were met with a torrent of concern and controversy from prison staff, the public, the opposition party and several independent bodies. Then, in 2017, Dame Glenys Stacey, HM Inspectorate of Probation, discovered that private Community Rehabilitation Companie’s (CRC’s) failed to properly risk-assess in half of the cases, with thousands of convicts supervised by a phone call every six weeks. With this method, there’s no way for workers to know they’re speaking with the right person - worryingly, some CRC’s used this method in 40% of cases, even with unsuitable, ‘high-risk’ convicts. Since the 2014 reforms, the number of convicts committing serious offences rose whilst under probation supervision rose by 20%, with a significant number convicted of murder, manslaughter or sexual crimes. Just seven years after implementing the reforms, the service has been repurchased into public control. The Criminal Justice Workers Union (CJWU), the UK’s new justice union, said it is “proud to represent Probation Staff, and welcomes their return to the public sector”. Probation workers keep our communities safe from crime and disturbance. In addition, they play a significant role in rehabilitating offenders by offering them the employment opportunities, housing and purpose they need to re-enter society. Unfortunately, the justice secretary’s reforms decimated the sector and left probation staff frustrated and concerned, and many resigned over concerns for the system’s efficiency and future. According to one National Probation Service (NPS) worker, at the time of the reforms, “There’s no flow of information, no knowledge sharing. It’s this huge demarcation that’s being created.” As the probation service returns to public control and millions of pounds are injected into the system, workers can resume focusing on their roles with the right resources. Gone is the concern of private companies ignoring rules, regulations and cutting funds inappropriately, creating risk for the general public. The privatisation and outsourcing of public services is a method rooted in controversy. Whenever the method is mentioned regarding the NHS, the probation service, or other industries like train services already being privatised, concerns are raised over funding, efficiency, and the benefits to the general public. The privatisation of the UK’s probation service pushed this debate to the forefront, but more importantly, it proved that those opposed to privatisation were right. The privatisation of public services has always been rooted in a ‘profit over people’ ethos that focuses on winning multi-million contracts and putting money in the pockets of private companies, often at the detriment to public health, safety and well-being. The probation service fiasco proved that this was indeed true and that workers suffer greatly under outsourcing too. Although renationalisation is necessary and its return is well overdue, workers still face relentless pressure, pay cuts, and dangerously high caseloads. Time has shown that the Government cannot be relied on to help them, highlighting the absolute need for justice unions and probation workers unions in the UK. Without professionals to fight their corner, probation workers risk seeing little to no improvement in their working conditions and pay under renationalisation. Despite reductions in membership over the years, unions still play a pivotal role in protecting workers rights and continue to champion safe and equal workplaces and workers rights for all. |