Retired Members

When you retire, life does not stop - and your role in your trade union can continue.
UNISON is unique among British trade unions in having a Retired Members' organisation which mirrors the structure of that for working members. This means Retired Members can still participate at all levels of the union. Retired Members can attend branch meetings, and have representation on the Branch Committee and Regional Council, which has a member on the National Retired Members Committee.

Find out more about the retired members conference and benefits of being a member

OFFICERS

President: Gordon Partington
Chairperson: Jim Skaife
Secretary: Eric Dean
Treasurer: Peter Meer
Social Secretary: Eric Lee
Committee: Pat Rushworth, Jean Bland, Pat Grogan, Glynis Chapman and Eve Ward

The Branch is affiliated to the National Pensioner Older Peoples Alliance and has representatives on each of these bodies. The Branch is also represented on the Regional Retired Members Committee with our representative being elected Chair of the organisation.

The Branch also sends delegates to both the National Retired Members Conference and to the Pensioners Parliament in Blackpool.

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We actively campaign on pensioner issues amongst other things and are currently supporting the Pensioners Charter, which has been sent to all Members of Parliament, asking for their support. We are awaiting with interest the Report on Pensions to be produced by Adair Turner in December.

The Branch has a wide programme of social activities. The winter programme of speakers has just commenced and meets at Shipley Library followed by tea and biscuits meetings commence at 2pm

October 20   
David Krause speaking on Heraldry
November 17
David Alred speaking on Natures Year.

The annual Christmas lunch will be held on December 6th at the Quarry House for further information contact the numbers below.

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS

November 15
5-mile circular walk followed by an optional pub lunch
November 29
Gateshead Metro Centre
December 6
5-mile walk followed by Christmas lunch
February Annual General meeting at Shipley Library
April 3-7
2006 Annual Holiday Berwick on Tweed

Members are kept advised of all our activities and membership is free as is the monthly newsletter.

To join the Retired Members section ring the branch office 01274 432889 or for further information contact Eric Dean on 01274 612058 or alternatively Peter Meer on 01274 561004.

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The Retired Members' Conference meets every year to enable retired members from branches to debate issues important to them. It has the right to submit two motions to the agenda of the National Delegate Conference.

If you've been a UNISON member for at least two years on the day you retire and have either reached state pension age or get a pension, you can become a retired member on payment of a one-off subscription of £15 to your branch.

As a Retired Member you can keep in touch with your old workplace colleagues, attend branch meetings, and take part in campaigning work. Retired members enjoy all the benefits of UNISON membership including:

• Legal advice
• Welfare support
• Special discounts and offers on a wide range of financial and other services

For more information on retired members please contact Branch Office on 01274 432291

Check out the retired members section of the National website