More than 90,000 new members already joined this year
A new recruitment campaign, aimed at increasing the record number of public service workers who’ve joined UNISON since the start of the pandemic, is being launched by the union today (Monday).
The 60-second animated advert is being screened on Sky, ITV, Channel 4 and YouTube with the message that no worker should feel alone in these uncertain times.
The film was created by the GOOD Agency, with whom UNISON has worked for seven years, along with animation studio Coffee & TV. At its heart are the messages that reassurance, peace of mind and security are the benefits that membership of the union brings.
UNISON is currently experiencing a membership surge, with more than 90,000 people signing up by the end of May. That’s an increase of almost a quarter (23%) on the same period in 2019.
A quarter (25%) of this membership increase came in May alone, with 23,040 joining last month, a 51% rise on the same month last year, says UNISON.
Altogether UNISON welcomed 91,925 new members during the first five months of 2020. The net rise is estimated to be well in excess of 24,000 people when leavers and retiring members for the period are discounted.
One sector where growth has been significant is among school support staff, says UNISON. Recruitment for May among those working in education was more than four times higher (308%) than the equivalent month in 2019.
The union’s campaigning on behalf of care workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic has also prompted a marked increase of 135% year-on-year increase for May in social care membership.
Figures also show that three in ten of all new members (31%) are employed in the private sector.
UNISON assistant general secretary Liz Snape said: “Even when times are good, everyone in work should be in a union. With the added challenges of life during the pandemic, it’s more important than ever.
“Unions aren’t just for when things go wrong, but are there to improve working lives too. They hold poor employers to account, help workers’ improve their skills and work with governments to ensure work is safe and fair.
“During the pandemic, thousands of people working in the NHS, social care, schools, police forces and local government have been joining UNISON. They realise it makes sense in troubled times to have somewhere to turn that has their best interests at heart.
“But there are still many workers out there who need support and advice, and who’ve never belonged to a union. This film shows how becoming part of the UK’s biggest union makes perfect sense.”
Commenting on the new ad campaign, GOOD Agency CEO and founder Chris Norman said: “Appreciation of our public service workers across the country has been incredible over the last few months, but they also need the type of support that allows them to focus on the jobs that we all rely on, especially in these uncertain times.
“That’s why we are so pleased to have worked with UNISON on its latest membership recruitment campaign. Being part of UNISON gives members the confidence and peace of mind to focus on doing what they do best, looking after all of us.
“The brief was to create a campaign that will beat the previous target-smashing campaign, with the added complication of doing it during lockdown. Working closely with the fantastic team at UNISON and the brilliant people at Coffee & TV, we believe we have done just that.”