Online Stewards Training for the Community and Voluntary Sector

 

February 2024

(NB you should get paid release to attend this course if UNISON is the recognised trade union with your employer. If not recognised then still ask. Any problems speak to your branch)

This course has been designed for newly elected and less experienced UNISON stewards who work in the Community and Voluntary Sector. It consists of two parts: Stage 1 is the initial training and will help equip you with organising skills. Stage 2 focuses on developing representation skills.

Stewards are a vital link in the union chain and have an important role to play in organising members at local level.

UNISON’s ability to support and represent its members with their employer is very much dependent upon the strength of membership organisation. The union is more likely to be get good results where it has strong membership organisation. Strong membership organisation is based on sound organising principles:working collectively – “what can we do about it together?” rather than “leave it with me to sort it out”

• listening to members’ views
• knowing where our members are
• actively involving our members
• promoting democracy and membership participation.

This course also equips stewards when supporting members in resolving individual issues and includes identifying what is and isn’t a case, practise interviewing a member, and preparing for a grievance and disciplinary case. By the end of the course you should feel confident in carrying out your duties as a steward.

In order to apply you must be able to access MS Teams and to commit to attending all four days as follows:

Tuesday 6th February 9.30am to 4.30pm
Tuesday 13th February 9.30am t0 4.30pm
Tuesday 20th February 9.30am to 4.30pm
Tuesday 27th February 09.30 to 4.30pm

In order to apply for a place please complete and submit the following form:

Online Stewards Training for the Community Sector https://learning.unison.org.uk/events/online-stewards-community/

Canvass Training: "Persuasive Conversations"

"Thirty percent of people are undecided about who to vote for or do not think that voting is worthwhile.

Having a persuasive conversation with them about Labour Party policies can make all the difference. Marginal seats are often won or lost by just a few votes.

Would you like to join a training session to learn how to canvass or to learn some useful techniques? I attended a training session on Persuasive Conversations and found it really useful. 

I would like to pass on those notes and tips to any interested members and supporters.

Please email tinamjgATicloudDOTcom to register or to find out more".


TRAINING DATES

Thursday 14th November, 7.15pm – 8.15pm
St. Lukes Community Centre, 89 Tarling Rd, E16 1HN
All members and friends welcome"

(Many thanks to Tina our political education officer for organising this)

On-line training on Employment Law

At the recent meeting of the UNISON London health & safety committee (which I plan to post upon soon) there was a solicitor from the trade union solicitors Thompsons. He was there to give us an update on recent employment law cases. He also handed out cards advertising their “Free E-Training Facility”.

I’ve had a look at it and there is a range of modules which I think will be of interest to any stewards or safety reps. No substitute for “proper” trade union education courses - but still very useful.

(double click photo to see screenprint clearly)

Training doesn’t take the strain

“Training” is the holy grail of health & safety. Many managers (and practically all consultants) stock response to any safety issue or concern is to propose sending workers on a “training course”. While training is usually really important in ensuring that there is an effective safety management system in an organisation, it is not the answer to all risks.

For example there is an excellent press release from the TUC today on research from the British Medical Journal that just training employees on the correct way to lift heavy weights doesn’t necessary result in fewer injuries. Rather you should be concentrating on reducing the weight of things that need to be lifted manually. I know that trade union Unite are campaigning to cut the maximum weight of baggage to 23k from current limit of 32K (see photo with Labour Minister Paul Goggins).

Equally it is useless just to send front line housing staff to “dealing with aggressive clients” courses when you don’t have a proper system in place of identifying and assessing potential violent clients. Instead you must make sure that workers are not simply sent out to make lone visits to residents unaware that they are potentially violent.