Core messages
Pay must reflect the real cost of living in Wales: Members deserve a pay award that genuinely helps them meet rising costs and recognises the value of their work.
Pay has fallen behind for years: There’s been long-term pay erosion, and members have felt every bit of it.
UNISON’s claim is based on real member experience: Your stories, pressures and financial realities directly strengthen the case we put forward.
Member engagement = negotiating power: The more active & visible the membership is, the harder we can push.
Talking points
OPENERS
- “We’re talking with members about this year’s Wales pay award, how are rising costs affecting you day-to-day?”
- “What would a meaningful increase look like for you this year?”
- “If there’s one cost that’s hit you hardest recently, what would you say it is?”
- “How are things generally feeling with pay versus your workload at the moment?”
DRIVERS
- “That’s really helpful, has this been building gradually or has something shifted recently?”
- “Do you feel your current pay matches the responsibility you carry in your role?”
- “What’s the biggest financial pressure you’re facing at the moment?”
- “If we could take one clear message about pay from your workplace straight to the employer, what should it be?”
Handling difficult conversations
“What’s the point? Nothing ever changes.”
“I really get why people feel like that, years of tight budgets and late announcements take a toll. But when members take part in big numbers, employers do take notice. Your voice really does help shape the outcome and UNISON members haven’t collected like this around pay in Wales like this before.”
“UNISON can’t do anything about it.”
“I get it, it often feels like decisions happen far away. But every improvement we’ve achieved has come from members backing campaigns. Engagement is the strongest evidence we can use as a union to push back with.”
“I don’t have time for this.”
“I know, everyone’s workloads are high. Sharing the Whatsapp / survey only takes a minute or two, and each response makes us stronger in negotiations.”
“The employer will just say there’s no money.”
“That’s usually the first line we hear, but our job is to challenge that with solid evidence from staff. The more people speak up, the harder it is for them to rely on that argument. They found a lot of money for the Doctors last year, there is money in the system to go around when the right pressure is applied.”
“Last year didn’t help much.”
“You’re not alone. Lots felt the same, especially with how late the award was. That’s exactly why building pressure this year matters.”
Directing Members to Take Action
Direct members to whichever action matches the current stage of the campaign. These are the core actions that build power, use them naturally where they fit the conversation.
Ask them to join the UNISON WhatsApp group
“Can I get you into your WhatsApp group? It’s the quickest way to make sure you stay up to date with the campaign.”
Ask them to share the WhatsApp group with colleagues
“If you’re already in the group, would you mind sharing the link with colleagues? The more members we reach quickly, the stronger we are.”
Encourage colleagues to join UNISON
“If you’ve got colleagues who aren’t members, now’s the time to get them in, the more of us involved, the more pressure we can apply.”
Update membership details
“Can you check your contact details are up to date on My.UNISON? Otherwise, you might miss the consultation or ballot.”
Complete the consultation
“When the consultation opens, can we count on you to complete it? Every response strengthens the claim and our negotiating position.”
Just choose the action that fits the moment, keeping talks purposeful without overwhelming members.
- Early campaign: join WhatsApp, share WhatsApp, update details, contact, active members
- Claim building stage: complete survey
- Negotiations / outcome stage: vote, encourage colleagues to vote
- At any point: ask non-members to join.