Unite Community in the High Peak was established on 22 January 2015. A number of founder members had specific interests in the impact of various welfare reforms on the most vulnerable members of our society and especially inspired by Tameside Against the Cuts campaign which started when Universal Credit was first piloted in Ashton. Unite the Union, and especially Unite Community, have been at the forefront of campaigning on this issue.
High Peak Unite Community has recently put on two free showings of I Daniel Blake. As a result, several people who have come forward wanting to do something practical for those affected by the various benefit reforms and a number of proposals are currently under consideration (see Campaigns).
However, High Peak Unite Community has actively campaigned on other issues such as acadmisation of our local schools and the related proposal to introduce Grammar Schools, the threat to our local fire service and the support for drug users in the area.
High Peak Unite Community will hopefully have enough members to form a branch in its own right this year but currently, as a group, it is well supported by our parent branch in Chesterfield and our Regional Office in Derby.
We meet monthly (first Monday in the month) at Glossop Labour Club. Our meetings often start with a talk open to the public and we welcome visitors to stay on for the “business meeting” if they want to find out more about us.
While most of our members are retired, we also have a number of members who belong to other unions. Those in employment are allowed to become members of Unite Community as long as they are a member of their work-based union and many choose to do so because of the broad based campaigning focus of Unite Community.
Those interested in becoming members of High Peak Unite Community can join online or email the Secretary to ask for a membership form. Once you have become a member of Unite Community, you will need to contact the secretary directly to become a member of High Peak Unite Community.
Our Officers: contactable on hpunitec@gmail.com
Gwyneth Francis, Chair 01457 867922
Kasey Carver, Secretary 07960 952725
