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The union for health and care managers

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Our History & Affiliations

Our History & Affiliations

In 2005, two key public sector unions identified a group of public service workers who lacked dedicated, specialist representation – and resolved to plug that gap in support.

UNISON represented 1.3m public service workers, many of them within the NHS and care services. The FDA spoke for senior public servants and professionals, largely in the civil service. But neither union had the specialist skills and expertise to meet the needs of senior managers and professionals working in the UK’s health and care services. And so Managers in Partnership was born.

Our members’ status

MiP is a joint venture between UNISON and the FDA, drawing on the strength of both unions whilst enjoying the autonomy required to champion the interests of our own, unique membership group. Our members benefit from both UNISON’s mass membership clout and its experience in health services, and the FDA’s expertise in representing and serving senior managers, specialist professionals and organisational leaders.

MiP members automatically belong to both UNISON and the FDA, and may vote in elections for both general secretaries. They are also entitled to all the member benefits offered by both unions – including discounts on consumer services and access to professional training courses.

Our affiliations

UNISON and the FDA are both members of the Trades Union Congress (TUC); and we are affiliated to the TUC through the FDA, which reserves seats for us at TUC conferences. MiP is recognised by all employers that recognise UNISON or the FDA, and has direct relationships with the vast majority of NHS organisations and civil service health bodies.

The FDA is not aligned with any political party, whilst UNISON maintains two political funds – both of which are optional for members. One supports political campaigning, and one the Labour Party.

MiP recruits many of its members directly, but we also gain members from both the FDA and UNISON – which refer people to MiP when we are best placed to serve them. The three organisations continue to work closely together to represent our members’ common interests, with MiP and UNISON in particular enjoying a deep working relationship – often joining forces to engage with health and care employers.

Sara Gorton speaking at Unison Centre, May 2023

“The government miscalculated on all sorts of fronts”, says Sara Gorton, UNISON’s lead negotiator during the recent NHS pay dispute. She tells Matt Ross how a tide of dissatisfaction from workers and strong public support enabled union negotiators to hold their nerve and cut a pay deal that won overwhelming backing from members.

28 June 2023 | By Matt Ross
Interview
Aneel Bhangu in an operating theatre at UHB

Decarbonising healthcare will affect everyone working in the NHS. But well-meaning national strategies are struggling to make an impact on the ground. We speak to pioneering surgeon Aneel Bhangu about the barriers to change and ask why NHS staff and unions aren’t more involved in meeting our greatest long-term challenge.

21 June 2023 | By Craig Ryan
Feature
Jon Restell portrait 2021

The government's response to the multiple crises facing the NHS has been negligent. But ministers will not change course unless forced to do so. That's why I'm asking MiP members to vote yes to industrial action this autumn.

19 October 2022 | By Jon Restell
Leading Edge
Helen Carr on the MiP Stand at Confed Expo 2022 in Liverpool

MiP are excited to have a stand at NHS Confed Expo 2022 at the ACC Liverpool. We’ll be here on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 June.

15 June 2022 | By MiP
News
Green vote logo

We have three vacancies for MiP members to represent the union on the FDA's Executive Committee. Find out more and download a nomination form here.

26 May 2022 | By MiP
News
Green vote logo

Nominations are now open for the election of the FDA president and four members to represent MiP on the FDA's Executive Committee.

28 February 2022 | By MiP
News
English currency in notes and coins

NHS trade unions, including MiP, have called for an “inflation-busting pay rise” to tackle growing staff shortages in the NHS and accused the government of failing to take the pay review process seriously.

24 January 2022 | By MiP
News
christina mcanae on balcony at UNISON HQ Sep 2021 697x 465

Christina McAnea, elected the first woman leader of UNISON in January, talks to MiP's Matt Ross about the crucial role of managers in the NHS and UNISON, the future path for the union and her pragmatic approach to negotiations and politics.

25 October 2021 | By Matt Ross
Interview
English currency in notes and coins

MiP members in England have voted to oppose the proposed 3% pay award for Agenda for Change staff, and indicated they would be willing to take part in industrial action.

05 October 2021 | By MiP
News
Scene from Pride Festival 2019 Unsplash

Previewing MiP's webinar in September, we speak to UNISON’s Carola Towle and MiP national committee member Anthony Nicholls about tackling descrimination and creating LGBT+ inclusive workplaces.

20 August 2021 | By Alison Moore
Feature
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About the FDA
The FDA Union is the professional body and union for civil service leaders and managers, and one of our parent bodies.
About UNISON
UNISON is one of the UK’s largest trade unions, with more than 1.3 million members working across public service delivery, and one of our parent bodies.

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The only union dedicated to managers in the NHS, social care and private healthcare in the UK.
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