BDA Trade Union Reps understand your workplace better than anyone else. Because they work in the same hospital or service, they know the pressures, the teams, the culture and the day-to-day challenges.
This means they are best placed to spot issues early, offer clear, practical advice and support colleagues in a way that truly reflects what is happening locally. If problems arise, they are there to help resolve them and make sure your voice is heard at staff-side meetings.
Think of trade union reps as someone who can represent you in difficult conversations and meetings with management, and support you through all sorts of workplace issues. They are your local point of contact and help make sure you are treated fairly.
Jump to what BDA Reps do, why become a BDA Rep for your workplace, how to become a BDA Rep, the election process and period, what support we offer, and how to get in touch.
What do BDA Reps do?
BDA Reps play a vital role in supporting and protecting BDA members in the workplace.
As a rep, you may:
- Talk with members about workplace issues and share updates
- Offer advice and support on work-related matters, such as sickness, grievances and disciplinaries
- Take part in training, events and BDA employment relations meetings
- Work with employers and senior managers to improve workplace policies
- Attend staff-side committee meetings
- Welcome new members and encourage others to join
- Organise around workplace issues that matter to your team
You don’t need to know everything straight away. We will support you as you grow into the role.
Why become a BDA Rep for your workplace?
Becoming a rep is a meaningful way to support your colleagues and make a positive difference in your workplace. You will help promote fairness, improve working conditions and ensure members feel supported when they need it most.
You will also build skills in leadership, communication, negotiation and understanding workplace issues. Many reps tell us that the role helps them grow as dietitians too, because they learn more about how their workplace works, feel more connected to their teams and become even more passionate about the profession.
As a rep, you can make a real difference to members at work, promote fairness and equality, support colleagues during challenging times, take part in national events and conferences, and even be recognised through opportunities such as the annual Mary Turner Prize.
It is an honour to be recognised by the BDA in this way. The industrial action on the Northern Ireland Pay Award was a great example of the impact members can have when they use their voices together to bring about change.
Mary Turner Award Winner 2024 - Rachael Hawthorne, Trade Union National Executive Committee (TUNEC) member for Northern Ireland and Chair of the Northern Ireland Employment Relations Committee (NIERC)
How can I become a BDA Rep?
If you want to support your colleagues and make a difference at work, becoming a rep is a great place to start.
- Read the BDA Trade Union Representative role descriptor to understand what the role involves.
- Complete the application form below to let us know you’re interested.
- Once approved, we’ll send you a welcome email with your next steps, including how to begin settling into the role, what you can do before training and how to access support from the Trade Union team.
- We’ll then send your credentials and confirm your accreditation as a BDA trade union representative once you have completed the required training.
To apply, you must be a full BDA member and currently employed.
Elections
Trade union representatives and health and safety representatives are elected every three years, in line with the BDA Trade Union Terms of Reference and the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
The current election period runs from 1 July 2023 to 1 July 2026.
You can apply to join or step down from the role at any time.
Being a BDA trade union representative has allowed me to develop leadership skills, gain valuable training, and build professional networks, while advocating for my colleagues and gaining deeper insight into healthcare management and policy.
Stephanie Owen - BDA Trade Union Representative
Support in place
You will receive accredited training from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), equipping you to support members confidently. You will also have ongoing support from:
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Our National Employment Relations Officers (NEROs)
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The Trade Union team
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Fellow reps through networking meetings and events
As part of your induction, you can also book a short Teams meeting with our Trade Union Organising and Campaigns Officer and Trade Union Liaison Coordinator. This session will help you get started, answer any questions and guide you through your first steps as a rep.
You will be part of a community working together to improve conditions for all BDA members, both locally and nationally.
If you want more information about becoming a rep, contact us today.