To allocate workplace representatives to support you.
To negotiate with our ‘employers’ for health, safety and wellbeing for our members.
To achieve best practice in working and ministerial life.
The Faith Workers Branch of Unite has continued to grow from strength to strength since its founding in 1993 by members recognising that all 'ministers of religion' and staff working for faith bodies need the same securities and protections throughout their working lives as anyone else.
At the heart of the Branch are its 70 Workplace Representatives, trained by the Union to support members no matter what circumstances they face. Representatives campaign for change, work for reconciliation and promote good industrial relations with employing organisations.
FAITH COMMUNITIES WE SERVE INCLUDE
Church of England
Methodist Church
United Reformed Church
Church in Wales
Roman Catholic
Jewish
Muslim
Hindu
Sikh
Other Christian
Other Faith Traditions
Interfaith Organisations
Our core values
Rooted in social justice
The Faith Workers Branch is rooted in the universal values of social justice shared by faith communities and the trade union movement — roots that started in Tolpuddle, Dorset, by people of faith.
We negotiate for
Fairness and dignity
Recognition of need
Fair support
Best practice by those in authority
Better pay and pensions, and terms and conditions of service
There are different levels of membership, each with different benefits depending on whether you are in training, or are full full-time, part-time, self-supporting, Student or retired. All members have access to the Branch’s helpline for advice, support and representation. Membership is open to all faith workers. The branch is divided into workplace groupings to ensure that members of all faiths and denominations have their own representatives who understand their difficulties.
Student or in training
Full-time
Part-time
Self-supporting
Community
Retired
Student or in training
Full-time
Part-time
Self-supporting
Community
Retired
All members have access to the Branch Helpline for advice, support and representation.
Unite the Union Faith Workers Branch — Community, Youth Work & Not For Profit Sector, LE/0631M
Who can join
Membership of the Faith Workers Branch of is open to anyone that is ‘employed’ by, or accountable to, a faith organisation. This means anyone who is paid or holds some form of authorisation and is therefore subject to penalties if something goes wrong.
At the heart of the branch's work are three core values:
Fairness and dignity
Recognition and support for all
The promotion of good practice in places of work and ministry
These values shape our approach to activism, representation and workplace change.
EQUALITIES
Protected Characteristics Under the Equality Act 2010
Employers, including faith-based organisations, are generally required to ensure that workers are not treated less favourably because of any protected characteristic.
The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of certain personal characteristics. These are known as the protected characteristics.
The Faith Workers Branch supports members who experience discrimination, harassment or unfair treatment connected to any protected characteristic and works to promote equal opportunities for all workers.
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin)
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation
While certain limited exemptions may apply in specific circumstances, these exemptions must be lawful, proportionate and clearly justified.
POSITIVE ACTIVISM
Building Fairer Workplaces Together
Activism is often understood solely as resistance to injustice. While challenging unfair treatment remains an essential part of trade union work, positive activism also asks an important question:
What kind of workplace do we want to build?
Unite Faith Workers Branch positive activism focuses on creating workplaces where:
People are listened to and respected.
Concerns can be raised safely and without fear.
Problems are addressed before they escalate
Workers receive appropriate support and representation
Diversity and inclusion are valued.
Good employment practices are promoted and maintained.
Rather than simply identifying problems, positive activism works towards practical solutions and lasting improvements. it seeks to build something better: workplaces and ministries where people can flourish, contribute fully and feel valued.
By working together, faith workers can help create organisations that reflect the principles of fairness, inclusion and mutual respect that Unite seeks to promote.
“Positive activism is not only about challenging what is wrong. It is about creating the conditions for what is right”.
