The West Midlands UNISON Regional Awards Evening took place on 20th November in Birmingham. Our own Karen Moore and Sam May won the Victor Dinoo Health and Safety Award 2024.

This is a recognition of how those who work in public services are also active in organising colleagues to ensure the safety and well-being of all. Karen has years of experience of working in adult care and Sam has worked for Children’s Services for many years. They both have trained as workplace Health & Safety reps and are currently studying a diploma in Occupational Health and Safety to  ensure that Solihull Council are implementing their legal responsibilities. It is workers like Karen and Sam who make unions what they are. All of us working as a collective to ensure everyone benefits. Karen says,

“We have worked hard with Heads of Service at several offices in the north of the borough to ensure the health and safety of our members to recognise that they are responsible for their own workstations and keeping fridges and microwaves clean and in a good working order. We have also supported with the new menopause policy, the menopause support plan and attended the drop-in groups around the borough.

We are interested in recruiting new Health and Safety reps across core council, school and private care companies to support our growing branch. This role gives you the tools to challenge the employer on the well being of their employees to ensure health and safety legislation is followed. It does not involve supporting members at meetings if you are interested in undertaking the training please contact the branch.”

Karen has also been elected to be Regional Delegate for National Delegates Conference (NDC) and Trades Union Congress (TUC) Midlands Delegate for West Midlands.

We can only win as a union with members on the ground identifying issues and organising. Could you be a workplace contact, steward or other role? Please contact the branch office if you want to be able to influence change for the better.