6. Organising to defend terms and conditions
[ch 6: page 63]Joining a union — and taking an active role in it — is the most effective way of defending terms and conditions in a crisis.
Going public with wins and achievements will ensure everyone knows the union is effective, helping to build support and to motivate more members to take an active role.
Finding ways to keep in regular contact with your union network and discussing new developments will help support members’ mental health, with so many working in isolation.
Keeping lines of communication open will be vital, especially over this period. This includes lines of communication with management, to maintain the trust needed to negotiate successfully.
Chapters 1 to 5 of this guide set out the contractual and statutory rights available to unions resisting cuts to terms and conditions. This Chapter looks at some of the organising and bargaining strategies available to unions to defend terms and conditions, highlighting some good examples.