Will you put your hat on?
Every year, when rep nominations open, we get the opportunity to ask ourselves a simple question:
Could I make a difference as an Advance Union rep?
For our existing reps, hopefully the answer is still yes.
Being a rep isn’t always easy. It can mean having difficult conversations, listening to concerns and sometimes standing up when it would be easier to stay quiet. But it also means being there for your colleagues when they need someone in their corner.
Every conversation you have, every question you ask and every member you support can make a real difference.
Being a rep isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to listen, learn and stand up for your colleagues.
If you’re already a rep, we’d encourage you to put your hat back on. Your experience matters. The knowledge you’ve built, the relationships you’ve developed and the confidence you’ve gained are invaluable—not just to members, but to the next generation of reps.
But what if you've never been a Rep?
Maybe you’ve supported a colleague when they’ve had a problem at work.
Maybe you’ve questioned something that didn’t seem right.
Maybe you’ve found yourself thinking, “Someone should speak up about this.”
Maybe that someone could be you.
You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need years of union experience. You don’t need to know everything about Employment Rights or workplace policies.
Every experienced rep started somewhere.
Training, guidance and ongoing support
Advance will provide you with training, guidance and ongoing support, while you’ll have a network of experienced reps around you. You’ll learn as you go, build new skills and gain experience that can benefit you both inside and outside the workplace.
And your voice matters.
Our workplaces are changing rapidly. Technology, new ways of working and changing expectations are creating new challenges for employees. Members need approachable people who understand their workplace and are prepared to listen, support and speak up.
We need experience, fresh ideas and new voices.
So, whether you’re an experienced rep considering another term or someone who’s never thought about becoming a rep before, this could be your opportunity.
You might not change every decision.
You won’t win every argument.
But you can make a difference to someone’s working life.
And sometimes, simply knowing that someone is there to listen, support and stand beside you is what matters most.
So when nominations open, ask yourself:
Will you put your hat on?
Become an Advance Union rep. Be the voice. Support your colleagues. Make a difference.
