UNISON Scotland Learning & Organising

Learning reps! We have two follow-on development sessions for you coming up in the next couple of months - find out how you can support members in your workplace through:

Introduction to neurodiversity
12pm, Thursday 18 June

Introduction to dyslexia
12pm, Wednesday 8 July

These are both part of our series of webinars for ULRs who have completed Stage 1 training. They will be particularly useful for those actively promoting and delivering lifelong learning and development activities in their branch, as well as newly trained ULRs preparing to deliver their first learning events.

Find out more and sign up on our website:
https://learning.unison.org.uk/events/introduction-to-neurodiversity-union-learning-rep-development-session/
https://learning.unison.org.uk/events/introduction-to-dyslexia-union-learning-rep-development-session/

Learning has always been a crucial part of what trade unions do - find out why in our lunchtime webinar celebrating the start of Learning at Work Week on 18 May. Open to all UNISON members!

Find out more and sign up:
9b2783da-f945-4af1-b11b-18db4a351e1e@d7c21edf-d541-49a4-9f5a-7737832d42c7" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9b2783da-f945-4af1-b11b-18db4a351e1e@d7c21edf-d541-49a4-9f5a-7737832d42c7

𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐂 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲: Director of Scottish Union Learning

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 15th May 2026 at midday

The STUC – Scotland’s Trade Union Centre – is seeking to recruit a Director of Scottish Union Learning to join Scottish Union Learning.

The Director of Scottish Union Learning will develop and lead Scottish Union Learning as a key part of the STUC’s overall learning offer. The Director will report to the General Secretary of the STUC and be part of the Senior Management Team at the STUC. The Director will lead Scottish Union Learning and have operational responsibility for the staff and financial management of Scottish Union Learning. They will also play a key role in developing the strategic direction of union-led learning.

Candidates 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 have a commitment to trade union values.

We offer an excellent package of terms and conditions, including a defined benefit staff pension scheme, 29 days annual leave plus 15 public holidays, and a range of family friendly policies such as support with childcare costs.

The role will be based in our modern, purpose-built office in the East End of Glasgow.

We have a flexi time system and a home working policy, with full-time employees able to work up to two days per week from home.

A recruitment pack can be obtained by request by emailing: [email protected]

or can be downloaded from the STUC website: www.stuc.org.uk/about-vacancies-stuc

or the Scottish Union Learning website: www.scottishunionlearning.com

You can also get in touch to arrange an informal discussion about the job before submitting your application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is midday on Friday 15th May.

Interviews are likely to take place on the 26th May in person in Glasgow.

We value diversity in our workforce, and we particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups. The STUC is a ‘two-ticks’ employer and all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

www.scottishunionlearning.com/news/news/stuc-vacancy-director-of-scottish-union-learning-team-closing-date-15-may-2026

Last week marked the graduation of the UNISON Women’s Development Programme 2026 🎉🥳

It was an incredible course with an outstanding group of women many of whom have already taken the leap into new officer roles within their branches. We wish each and every one of you continued success in UNISON and in your workplaces.

The programme will be running again next year, with sessions planned across February, March, and April (2 days x month - 6 days in total) We can’t wait to see another inspiring group of women come through.

What a course, what amazing women, and here’s to everything the next year has in store for you all!✊🫶

A special thank you to Tracy McBurnie for co-tutoring the course alongside me 🙌

A Great Couple of days on our Union Learning Rep Course - We now have 14 New Reps ready to go and help our members develop ,learn and up skill.

A really great group of folk spanning the
country from the Western Isles to Ayrshire.

Please find below upcoming training courses where we still have availability.

Digital Organising 1 – Introduction, 22 April, online (9.30 am – 1.00 pm)
This half day online course is for anyone who wants to learn more about online organising. It will improve how you engage with online audiences. This course is for new and experienced digital campaigners and organisers.
Course will cover moving people from online conversations to offline action; list building; a step-by-step walkthrough for building Facebook groups to build campaigns; creating engaging content for social media; an overview on the ever changing world of digital tools and analytics and how we use it to create meaningful digital strategies.

ERA Refresher, 27 & 28 April, online (9.30 am – 1.00 pm)
This course is for stewards/branch officers who have not attended any representation training in the last 5 years. It is NOT suitable for new and inexperienced reps. It updates participants on new developments in UNISON and relevant legal updates. Participants will reflect on their role as trade union activists and update their knowledge and skills on organising and representation. It is an essential course to gain reaccreditation under the Employment Relations Act (ERA).

Further Representation Skills, 6 & 7 May, Inverness (9.30 am – 4.30 pm)
As the second course in the stewards pathway, this two day course concentrates on building the skills, techniques and confidence needed when workplace stewards represent members for grievances and disciplinaries. It examines the contents of grievance and disciplinary procedures, and the influence of the ACAS Code of Practice, then moves on to develop the skills needed for preparing a case, interviewing and representing a member. Completion of the Organising Stewards course is required before attending this one. This course can also be used to renew ERA accreditation.

ERA Refresher, 20 & 21 May, Edinburgh (9.30 am- 4.30 pm)
This course is for stewards/branch officers who have not attended any representation training in the last 5 years. It is NOT suitable for new and inexperienced reps. It updates participants on new developments in UNISON and relevant legal updates. Participants will reflect on their role as trade union activists and update their knowledge and skills on organising and representation. It is an essential course to gain reaccreditation under the Employment Relations Act (ERA).

Team Negotiating Skills, 20 & 21 May, Inverness (9.30 am- 4.30 pm)
This course is only suitable for experienced reps who must have completed mandatory equality training (Equality in your Branch and Challenging Racism). This course explores the principles of negotiating and collective bargaining, and includes a role-play case study to help representatives work through the concept in a practical way.

There are still spaces available on the below online course 👇👇👇

Staying Safe Online November 2025

26 November 202510:30am–11:30am

This online workshop is for UNISON members who would like to learn about how to keep safe online, whether it is thinking about what to share, creating a strong password, or protecting themselves from scams.

For more information and registration visit

Staying Safe Online November 2025 | UNISON College This online workshop is for UNISON members who would like to learn about how to keep safe online, whether it is thinking about what to share, creating a strong password, or protecting themselves from scams. This course will:

Just like that we have 11 new stewards!

7 in Highland LG branch, 3 in Unison Moray and 1 in Highland health branch.

Thanks to John Frew and Janis Donaldson UNISON for assisting with tutoring.

What a team! Let's do this! ✊🏻