UNISON Anmeldelser 

In my personal experience, UNISON has been an absolute disgrace. They make flashy promises they never seem to keep, and it genuinely feels like they only bother representing the people they choose to help. Meanwhile, paying members like me are left completely unprotected, ignored, and abandoned.

Trying to get hold of a rep is a nightmare — endless phone calls, endless waiting, and still no real support. Even when you send them solid, clear evidence for a grievance, they do nothing. No response, no action, just silence.

To me, this union has become a joke. A complete waste of money. It feels like one of the biggest scams in the public sector — all talk, no help, and absolutely no accountability.

Shameful beyond words. I honestly hope nurses and other workers stop pouring their hard-earned money into what, in my opinion, has become a useless and neglectful organisation.

*DO NOT GIVE THESE ANY OF YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY AND IF YOU ARE WITH THEM JOIN ANOTHER UNION*

Merseyside area

After being a member for 35+ years and never once calling on them until recently, they have be absolutely no use to me at all.

They wont provide a unison rep for my hearing despite the fact that they brag they will always be there for you!

Considering they are dealing with people who are going through possibly one of the most stressful times of their life there is ABSOLUTELY NO compassion despite the fact that they have a duty of care. They never reply to emails or telephone messages. The admin staff are rude, talk over you and shout. Fob you off saying that there is lots of working going on behind the scenes but I’m sure if they were challenged to list all of these actions with the owners of them that they wouldn’t be able to list anything!

When you ring head office they just tell you that you need to contact the branch do all is just go round in circles!!!!

If you want to save your career or your sanity then please learn from one of my biggest mistakes of my life and join another union!

Not IF but WHEN I lose my job at my hearing it’s won’t be because I have done anything ……….. BUT will be because of UNISON. Let’s hope none of them ever need the help of a union.

I have been a member of Unison Brent for about a year, and I have to say that my experience has been very disappointing.

I had a simple case, fully recorded and supported with physical evidence, but it was not handled properly. The branch secretary did not even manage to forward my full case pack to the main branch or to the lawyer.

Because of this lack of action, I can’t help but feel there may be some connection or cooperation with the council, which worries me. From now own, I will use my own judgment and private lawyers if i ever need to.

I received a letter from the home office regarding where I worked and reported this to them, the (unison) union, they ignored it and the expected time got elapsed. That led to me not able to met up with the deadline of the home office because, I was waiting for a response from my supporter. Meanwhile,they kept my direct debit ongoing. Collecting money without service. I had to terminate it.

Before joining Unison, I had read the reviews on Google. If I hadn’t joined Unison at that time — since the reviews were very bad — I wish I hadn’t joined. Things would have been better today if I had joined some other union. I also work on Oxford Road, and my case was handed over to one of their representatives. That representative was so rude and unprofessional — he knows my higher management. I don’t know whether it’s because of friendship or something else, but he showed no interest in my case at all. My case was open and shut, yet he kept delaying it, caused me stress, and today he finally told me, “I’m sorry, I can’t represent you.” He rejected me, saying there was a technical issue.

South East Region. DONT JOIN these clowns, they are a joke. A complete waste of time joining this union. I paid in for 3 years then when I needed them for redundancy they couldn’t be bothered to communicate with me or even attend my meeting. No point in complaining or going further as they just back each other up, they don’t listen or view your evidence and they get all their details wrong but make out you are wrong. An absolutely pointless body. They are quick enough to take your money but trying to get it back after no communication or representation is a non starter citing you had the benefits (no benefits they offered were any good for me) and you got to vote, so that is really what you are paying for not a service when you need it. I have ended up paying a solicitor to represent me.

First time in a union and now the last. Started a new job and joined Unison. They were polite and offered free accident cover on joining. Took first payment then came the insurance company calling me to hard sell the upscale insurance. After that I began to notice that Unison representatives were at lots of protests waving flags and wearing their rep outfits. Some of these protests didn’t not align with my beliefs in any way. I contacted unison over a month ago to ask how their overt behaviour amounted to discrimination. It’s been over a month th with no reply other than a holding email. So basically Unison virtue signal but do not represent all of their members fairly.

I reached out to Unison for support regarding my employment contract, expecting guidance and advocacy. Instead, I was met with a dismissive, patronising, and condescending attitude from the representative assigned to me. My concerns were minimised, and rather than offering support, she seemed to side with my employer.

At one point, she referenced people losing their jobs as if to guilt me for asking for job security, and even advised me to apologise to my employer for raising concerns - advice that was inappropriate and deeply disempowering.

This experience left me feeling ashamed, invalidated, and completely unsupported by the organisation meant to protect me. I also couldn’t help but question whether my nationality and accent influenced the way I was treated.

Unison’s response was unprofessional, lacking empathy or fairness. I pay for representation, but when I needed it most, Unison failed me completely.

There is no way to contact you, all attempts are ignored, I need your help, I have been a member for years but reading these reviews it was all a waste of money.

After looking into my issue for four months, I was shocked to be told that since it has now been three months since the incident, there’s nothing they can do. I couldn’t believe it! I decided to cancel my membership immediately. They take people’s money but can’t even stand by their members when it really matters. It’s such a shame.

Unison is a waste of time! They are rude and very unprofessional, I would not advise on this service at all as you are left feeling more anxious and alone!
Please do not allow this service to take money out of your account and have nothing back in return but only a few email correspondence and that is it!

The Birmingham UNISON Branch is, unfortunately, one of the least effective branches in the country. When support is needed most, members often find the team lacking both skill and commitment. The only truly dedicated and capable member appears to be Caroline Johnson — but even her efforts cannot compensate for the branch’s overall shortcomings. Sadly, joining UNISON in Birmingham feels like a waste of both time and money

Absolute joke of a union, needed their support during an alleged accusation, their Salford office in Manchester provided no support, in fact, they regarded my case as a criminal case and won't be providing any support. Meanwhile, I pay my monthly dues, they ended up destroying my career.

Terrible absolutely terrible. These clowns give Labour millions of pounds and yet Labour HATE the workers of this country. You go to them for help and all you get is “They are unavailable” or “They are out the office.” They also send a text or email advising civil servants to reject the latest Government pay offer, we go by Unison’s recommendation and then a few weeks later they accept the offer anyway behind our backs. They do not sort anything out and years ago union reps were tough men who were ex military, coal miners and ex police officers, these days it’s just teenagers, lads in their 20’s who don’t know what they are on about and only interested in their turkey teeth and fake hair. I’ve cancelled my direct debit with them and I’m glad I did, paying £11.50 a month for naff all.

Don't bother wasting your money, they don't help you when needed, they just make excuses up. I've cancelled my membership because of it. Go elsewhere!

Terrible organisation that don’t provide you any help, then when you desperately need it and seek advise from a solicitor then they say no we can’t help bye, complete joke of an organisation filled with left wing wet wipes

I reached out whilst being discriminated against whilst working for the NHS. I recieved no response and months later ended up having a breakdown, which involved me resigning. Despite unison upholding that they missed my email due to a system error and restructure, they refused to refund my monthly payments despite offering me absolutely no assistance throughout and at their own fault.

Avoid, im never joining unison again and I have lost faith in union systems. Waste of time and not there when you need them.

I've only been with them for just over a month, finally got my 4 weeks out if the way and thought I'd phone them and check them out.

Phoned branch but no answer but if you left a message they'd check their messagez at 9am and 2pm.and contact you back.over next few days.

So I then phoned main phone number. Lady took down my details but she wasn't qualified to offer advice and said to phone another number but I don't think they answered the phone.

So essentially I spent about an hour getting nowhere.

I think.the branches are the problem. They'd be better off amalgamating their resources. Paying some solicitors to be on duty 24/7 and offer advice, issue letters to give to employers etc spelling out law and what needs to be done to rectify issue etc would be useful.

They could still have operatives /TU reps living around the UK who could assist with attending work disciplinary or grievance meetings etc. But currently I don't get the vibe that will easily happen.

We also need quick actions and law changes stopping employers bad practices. Unison could quickly contact MPs and get things addressed ASAP. And stop these companies and their bad practices! Or do awareness campaigns saying to employees watch out for these bad practices.......

I'm so used to ACAS being amazing; with immediate good quality advice etc that I've found Unison rather underwhelming /useless as a result. I need advice when I phone not days later.

Would give no stars if possible. Happy to take subscription money but no help when actually needed. Have cancelled my membership in disgust.