12. Using leverage: how to approach employers
One nurse who had been working in the hospital for several years found herself in crisis after forgetting to update her visa. She faced immediate dismissal and potential removal from the country. The branch supported her to regularise her status and used personal contacts with the trust’ s HR to avoid punitive action, ultimately helping her to remain in her job.
“ Workers don’ t come forward because they don’ t want to cause trouble. You have to be visible and present.” UNISON branch secretary
Case study: Cardiff Council
A UNISON branch in Cardiff uses a behind-the-scenes strategy to protect workers in small care agencies. When multiple concerns were raised about conditions( from underpayment to racism) the union passed on anonymised evidence to the council. This included logbooks of hours worked, showing discrepancies between what workers were paid and what they had actually done.
In several cases, the council responded by carrying out monitoring visits or adding stronger contract conditions or“ variations of contract” to the employers. While in many cases the terms of the contract with the provider could not be changed directly, it was made clear that the contract would not be renewed if the company did not raise employment standards.
The branch also made use of the existing partnership forum, a space where trade unions and the council meet regularly; to raise concerns, build support for higher standards, and propose solutions. One key outcome was the development of a local charter to raise expectations of care providers. This indirect approach allowed the union to protect vulnerable workers, while still driving up standards across the sector.
“ They added a variation to the contract. If providers don’ t sign, it might not be renewed.” UNISON Branch Secretary
The role of the Migrant Workers Charter
UNISON’ s Migrant Workers Charter( see Appendix II) provides a ready-made framework to raise standards, ensure compliance, and protect against exploitation. Branches can use it to campaign for:
• Adoption of fair recruitment and employment standards by councils and NHS bodies
• Stronger expectations in contracts and procurement processes
• Enforcement mechanisms, including monitoring, anti-slavery safeguards, and union access
70 LRD • Supporting migrant workers