Member Learning

My name is Tracy McBurnie and I am your Lifelong Learning

Coordinator.

UNISON has a proud history of providing high quality learning

opportunities for our members. The Branch work with trusted national

institutions like The Open University and the Workers’ Educational

Association (WEA) and a host of local providers, and we also deliver

informal learning in-house.

As your Lifelong Learning Coordinator it is my role to lead on member

learning in the branch. I started my UNISON life as a steward and then

as a union learning rep. My role is to support union learning reps in their

roles, through mentoring, goal-setting, and providing a positive example

of leadership. I am involved in negotiations with the employer, with the

aim of ensuring that UNISON’s learning and skills agenda is embedded

in learning agreements.

The branch lifelong learning co-ordinator will:

co-ordinate the activity of union learning reps in the branch education team
work with colleagues to recruit new union learning reps
be closely involved in negotiating around learning with the employer
co-ordinate information on learning activities for the branch
ensure that the work of union learning reps is fully integrated into the branch, so that, for example, the opportunity to recruit new members and new activists around learning is taken up fully

Becoming a (UNION Learning Rep) ULR

UNISON Lothian Health Branch is keen to engage with enthusiastic Members.

ULRs are appointed by the branch. If you’re interested in becoming one,

speak to your UNISON Learning Coordinator-

ULRs are entitled to paid time off to carry out their role. This includes

time for their own training.

You will be expected to attend in our Stewards Induction course: this will

provide you with the skills to undertake this very rewarding role.UNISON

provides introductory training for learning reps and there is potential

follow-on training that you can undertake depending on your interests.

You can get started by completing our e-note for potential ULRs. You’ll

find this on the e-learning site (log in with your MyUNISON account and

look for Getting more involved in UNISON: activist roles).

For more information on the role, please click on the link below.