When you miss a UNISON payment, your membership status can fall into arrears, which may impact your access to the full range of benefits and support services the union provides.
Understanding Your Membership Responsibilities
As a UNISON member, it is your responsibility to ensure that your membership subscriptions are paid at the correct level and in a timely manner. This commitment helps maintain your active membership status and ensures you are fully covered by the union's services.
Impact on Membership Benefits
Falling into arrears means your payments are overdue. While UNISON always strives to support its members, being in arrears can have significant implications for the immediate availability and scope of the support you can receive, especially concerning representation or advice during critical times.
| Membership Status | Potential Impact on Benefits |
|---|---|
| Active (Payments Up-to-Date) | Full and immediate access to all UNISON benefits, including legal advice, workplace representation, and member services. |
| In Arrears (Missed Payments) | Access to certain benefits, particularly branch representation and advice, may be limited or suspended until outstanding payments are rectified. |
This means that if you encounter an issue at work requiring union support, such as a disciplinary hearing or a grievance, your ability to receive full and timely assistance might be affected if your payments are not current.
Rectifying Missed Payments and Restoring Full Benefits
The good news is that if you do fall into arrears, there is typically a clear process to rectify the situation and restore your full membership benefits.
- Contact UNISON Immediately: As soon as you realize a payment has been missed, get in touch with your local UNISON branch or the central membership team. They can provide precise details on your outstanding balance and guide you on the next steps.
- Pay Missed Subscriptions: You will typically be given the option to pay the subscriptions that you missed. This brings your account up to date.
- Regain Full Benefits: Once outstanding subscriptions are paid, your membership status will be restored, allowing you to receive the full benefits of membership without restriction. UNISON understands that financial difficulties can arise, and they may be able to discuss flexible payment arrangements if needed.
Preventing Future Payment Issues
To ensure your membership remains active and you always have access to full UNISON support, consider these preventative measures:
- Verify Payment Method: Confirm that your direct debit or payroll deduction details are accurate and up-to-date with UNISON and your bank/employer.
- Monitor Bank Statements: Regularly check your bank statements to ensure that your UNISON subscriptions are being paid consistently.
- Update Contact Information: Keep your contact details (phone, email, address) current with UNISON so they can easily reach you regarding any payment discrepancies.
- Set Reminders: If you pay manually, set calendar reminders for your payment due dates.
- Communicate Changes: Inform UNISON promptly of any changes to your employment status or bank details that might affect your subscription payments.
