A year ago, on the 25 June 2014, a group of very nervous and tentative interpreters arrived in a small room of Unite House to establish a new Union branch — NUBSLI. Members of DPAC and seasoned trade unionists Ellen Clifford and Roger Lewis attended the inaugural meeting to provide some much needed support and to explain the benefits a union can bring. They have stayed with us every step of the way and continue to support us in our work. We all owe them our thanks, as without their encouragement we would not be celebrating our first anniversary today.

What we’ve achieved in one year

On that first meeting our committee was voted in, making the branch official, and since then we have continued to exceed all expectations of what can be achieved in such a short space of time. We are now over 300 strong and are seeing a steady increase in our number each week. Unite have identified us as one of their 100% campaigns — they believe we can achieve 100% density. We can! Please do try and recruit new members. The greater our number the louder our voice.

One year on and the importance of NUBSLI is clear: we have campaigned, made numerous representations, developed our political and legal voice, established fees guidance, as well as undertaking perhaps our most important work which is to provide support to individual members.

As Branch Secretary, I would personally like to thank our amazing committee for their commitment and sheer resilience under an ever increasing work load — Jen, Chris, Wes, Karen, Om and Mariella — thank you. We are extremely lucky to have such a fantastic team behind us.

I’d also like to send a message to every member – thank you – as without you there would be no NUBSLI. NUBSLI belongs to us all: it is your union. I am incredibly proud to be a NUBSLI member.

by Nicky Evans — NUBSLI Branch Secretary.