UNISON Reviews 

First time in a union and now the last. Started a new job and joined Unison. They were polite and offered free accident cover on joining. Took first payment then came the insurance company calling me to hard sell the upscale insurance. After that I began to notice that Unison representatives were at lots of protests waving flags and wearing their rep outfits. Some of these protests didn’t not align with my beliefs in any way. I contacted unison over a month ago to ask how their overt behaviour amounted to discrimination. It’s been over a month th with no reply other than a holding email. So basically Unison virtue signal but do not represent all of their members fairly.

I reached out to Unison for support regarding my employment contract, expecting guidance and advocacy. Instead, I was met with a dismissive, patronising, and condescending attitude from the representative assigned to me. My concerns were minimised, and rather than offering support, she seemed to side with my employer.

At one point, she referenced people losing their jobs as if to guilt me for asking for job security, and even advised me to apologise to my employer for raising concerns - advice that was inappropriate and deeply disempowering.

This experience left me feeling ashamed, invalidated, and completely unsupported by the organisation meant to protect me. I also couldn’t help but question whether my nationality and accent influenced the way I was treated.

Unison’s response was unprofessional, lacking empathy or fairness. I pay for representation, but when I needed it most, Unison failed me completely.

There is no way to contact you, all attempts are ignored, I need your help, I have been a member for years but reading these reviews it was all a waste of money.

After looking into my issue for four months, I was shocked to be told that since it has now been three months since the incident, there’s nothing they can do. I couldn’t believe it! I decided to cancel my membership immediately. They take people’s money but can’t even stand by their members when it really matters. It’s such a shame.

Unison is a waste of time! They are rude and very unprofessional, I would not advise on this service at all as you are left feeling more anxious and alone!
Please do not allow this service to take money out of your account and have nothing back in return but only a few email correspondence and that is it!

The Birmingham UNISON Branch is, unfortunately, one of the least effective branches in the country. When support is needed most, members often find the team lacking both skill and commitment. The only truly dedicated and capable member appears to be Caroline Johnson — but even her efforts cannot compensate for the branch’s overall shortcomings. Sadly, joining UNISON in Birmingham feels like a waste of both time and money

Absolute joke of a union, needed their support during an alleged accusation, their Salford office in Manchester provided no support, in fact, they regarded my case as a criminal case and won't be providing any support. Meanwhile, I pay my monthly dues, they ended up destroying my career.

Don't bother wasting your money, they don't help you when needed, they just make excuses up. I've cancelled my membership because of it. Go elsewhere!

Terrible organisation that don’t provide you any help, then when you desperately need it and seek advise from a solicitor then they say no we can’t help bye, complete joke of an organisation filled with left wing wet wipes

I reached out whilst being discriminated against whilst working for the NHS. I recieved no response and months later ended up having a breakdown, which involved me resigning. Despite unison upholding that they missed my email due to a system error and restructure, they refused to refund my monthly payments despite offering me absolutely no assistance throughout and at their own fault.

Avoid, im never joining unison again and I have lost faith in union systems. Waste of time and not there when you need them.

I've only been with them for just over a month, finally got my 4 weeks out if the way and thought I'd phone them and check them out.

Phoned branch but no answer but if you left a message they'd check their messagez at 9am and 2pm.and contact you back.over next few days.

So I then phoned main phone number. Lady took down my details but she wasn't qualified to offer advice and said to phone another number but I don't think they answered the phone.

So essentially I spent about an hour getting nowhere.

I think.the branches are the problem. They'd be better off amalgamating their resources. Paying some solicitors to be on duty 24/7 and offer advice, issue letters to give to employers etc spelling out law and what needs to be done to rectify issue etc would be useful.

They could still have operatives /TU reps living around the UK who could assist with attending work disciplinary or grievance meetings etc. But currently I don't get the vibe that will easily happen.

We also need quick actions and law changes stopping employers bad practices. Unison could quickly contact MPs and get things addressed ASAP. And stop these companies and their bad practices! Or do awareness campaigns saying to employees watch out for these bad practices.......

I'm so used to ACAS being amazing; with immediate good quality advice etc that I've found Unison rather underwhelming /useless as a result. I need advice when I phone not days later.

Would give no stars if possible. Happy to take subscription money but no help when actually needed. Have cancelled my membership in disgust.

I was exposed to asbestos at work. I did not know there was asbestos in the building , there were no copies of the asbestos surveys on the premises . I went to unison and they hardly lifted a finger and gave me no information on what to do . They did not visit my place of work to see were the asbestos artex was crumbling from the ceiling . I question if they are on my side or my employer , a labour run local authority .
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY !!!!!

Really let down.ut was advertised like we will be your side and when it comes down ro it .nothing .nothing but call this line or sign up on thos site.i needed them so u thought the fact that it's a paid service that I would get help when I needed. But alas nothing .im trying to close account and nothing .oh when will this nightmare end.direct debits people that's how they get us

⭐☆☆☆☆

Remarkable how 94% of reviewers have given UNISON just one star – and I know exactly why.

There should be a legal right to representation from this union. Without it, members are left abandoned, and UNISON should be open to being sued for damages when it fails. In my own case, there was even a death involved, yet I was met with the same smug, dismissive attitude from head office that so many others describe.

UNISON seems more concerned with protecting Labour councils from allegations of wrongdoing than standing by its own members. That is a betrayal of everything a union is supposed to stand for. In my case there was a death and supporting evidance to underpin what had transpired. Allegations and no legal help

Now, with the election for General Secretary underway, we see the same old faces, the same old promises, and the same indifference – all while chasing a £180,000 salary. Not one candidate has had the honesty to address the union’s failings, particularly towards women and those affected by the Bracker gene issue.

This is not solidarity. This is not representation. This is a enterprize for the few

Needed them through bullying and redundancy. Rep went on leave for 6 months and ignored therefore emails were ignored. Didn’t reply to emails and left me with no support and advice.
They did even pass onto another case handler.

Then when I needed the solicitor of the branch to represent and advise on tribunal court. They state they can’t, because the incident happened before joining.
They don’t state that before you joining and giving them you £20 a month though. They just take members money, not offer a service and then disappear.

Only through, reading the other reviews do I realise how corrupt, thieving and doggy Unison is.

Should be ashamed of themselves.

Asked for help twice and been refused both times because the issue was before my membership. NO the issue is now, regarding something before my membership started when it WAS NOT a problem. I'm being targeted NOW. Useless, I won't be paying a cancellation fee either. Take me to court.

Ignore their members completely. A spineless union totally in the pocket of the bosses and the Red Tories.

"Last month, we consulted you and your colleagues working in councils and schools [...] on your pay offer of 3.2%.

Whilst members voted to reject the offer, the turnout in the consultation was not high enough to suggest that we would be successful if we balloted for industrial action. [...] In light of this, UNISON’s committee of leading activists have reached an agreement alongside the other NJC trade unions to accept the employers’ offer of 3.2%."

Disgusted.

App is useless.
Never able to sign in.
Always session expire, and wrong password.
I need support twice in the past in my NHS job.
Well, I was did better job standing for myself both time.
Very disappointed.

I’m genuinely disappointed with how Unison handled my cancellation.

I cancelled my direct debit because I’m trying to manage my finances, and I fully understood there would be a cancellation fee — that’s part of the agreement. What upset me was the email I received chasing that fee, even though it wasn’t due until the 28th of July, and I had every intention of paying it on the 25th.

The tone felt unnecessarily harsh, and for an organisation that claims to support its members, I expected a little more trust and kindness. I’ve always paid what’s due, and I was saddened to be treated as if I wouldn’t.

It’s made me question whether Unison really stands by the supportive values it promotes.