Regional Rep. Introduction Pack
This introductory pack is not overly long or exhaustive and deliberately so. Its purpose is to give a brief overview of the working of the NPC, and member’s roles and responsibilities. To illustrate the roles and responsibilities some historical documents are included, notably previous NPC minutes, the SSHA Constitution and a SSHA NPC contact list. The latter is a confidential document to SSHA NPC members only and is not for disclosure or dissemination to anyone else.
Other documents can be obtained from the Honorary Secretary on request by e-mailing ronaldseery@hotmail.com
Some Starter Points
While most Regional Representatives should be elected by members of SSHA in their Region of standing, in reality it is left up to you as a committed SSHA member to volunteer. Having volunteered it is important to send your contact details to the secretary or UNITE Professional Officer so that accreditation as a union representative can be sent to your employing authority.
Why do I have to become an accredited union representative?
This makes the process of getting time off to attend NPC meetings and any other meetings appertaining to the business of the union / SSHA much easier as Trusts and PCTs are obliged to recognise union representatives be allowed 10 days per year for union business. Becoming an accredited union representative does not mean becoming a shop steward and having to deal with a myriad of industrial issues in your employing Trust / PCT.
What is the commitment I will have to make?
There are four NPC meetings per year which can be held in different venues around the countries of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. UNITE will pay for travel, subsistence and any overnight accommodation necessary to attend. A claims form is issued to each member on attendance and payment from UNITE is very prompt.
What if I want to leave the NPC?
Please send your resignation to the honorary secretary. Ideally, if at all possible it would be deeply appreciated if you could nominate a substitute to represent your Region on resignation.
Regional elections should be conducted every two years according to the UNITE union rulebook. In practice, as has been stated previously it is up to members volunteering for the post of Regional Representative on the NPC and while elections have been unnecessary to date, members should be aware of the mechanism should there be more than one volunteer wishing to represent their Region on the NPC in the future.
