UNISON members in Wales will be heading to the union’s national conference in Brighton for the first time next week.
Teaching assistant Rebecca Ring (pictured above) is among the delegates preparing to make the journey to UNISON’s national delegate conference 2024.
Rebecca is a schools convenor in her branch in Ceredigion and said she is attending the NDC to get a better insight into UNISON.
She said: “I’m hoping to expand my knowledge and meet other representatives.
“It’s also an opportunity to attend meetings and share ideas.
“There are four of us coming from my branch and for three of us it’s our first time attending.
“So, this means we will also be able to support each other throughout the conference.”
Social worker Cas Metcalf (pictured above) will be travelling to their first national delegate conference (NDC) and got involved with UNISON in 2023 after starting full time work for Swansea Council.
The 24-year-old said: “Everyone I know who has been to NDC says you need to go at least once in your life and that it will really help you understand the structures and how UNISON decides on issues to campaign on.
“I’m looking forward to seeing UNISON’s democracy in action and voting on motions, meeting and networking with other people passionate about protecting workers rights and human rights issues.”
Dawn Ward, chair of the UNISON Cymru/Wales health committee and the Cardiff and Vale health branch, has been a member of UNISON for more than 20 years and said every time she has attended NDC she has learnt something new.
Dawn (pictured above) is an occupational therapist and said: “I always meet some great people and have my eyes opened to the struggle others are enduring whenever I go to NDC.
“I always come away enthused as a UNISON activist and grateful to be part of the UNISON family.”
Rosh Kirby, treasurer and Black members officer for the Cardiff and Vale health branch will also be attending NDC 2024.
Rosh (pictured above) has been a trade union rep for almost 7 years and said: “I’m most excited to attend conference to network and catch up with UNISON Cymru colleagues, and to learn more about the overarching issues the other sectors other than my own are experiencing, and offer support and solidarity where I can.”
Janice Aspinall is also a member of the UNISON Cardiff and Vale health branch and joined the union in 2023.
Janice (pictured above) will be attending NDC and said: “I have been a trade union activist for many years and looking forward to embracing NDC and expanding my knowledge.”
Ceredigion branch young members officer Ieuan Griffiths (pictured above) will also be attending NDC for the first time.
The 29-year-old works for Ceredigion Council and is also a UNISON rep.
He said: “I’ve never been to conference before and so wanted to attend to get a better understanding of UNISON’s bigger impact, not just what we do in our branch.”
