A stronger workplace union

A stronger workplace union, operated by a team of trained and supported lay reps and activists, provides the most effective platform from which unions can recruit new members, get existing members to be more active and provide more effective support and representation.

The perceptions of most members as to how effective their union really is are shaped by their experience of the union at their place of work. In unionised workplaces with one or more reps, members are much more likely to regard the union as relevant and effective, yet today in many unionised workplaces members don’t have access to a rep at their actual place of work.

Currently there are three million non-union members in workplaces where unions have recognition and it is estimated that two-thirds of these workers haven’t been asked to join the union. The chances of “the question” being asked though are increased once again where there is a union rep present.

What then are the practical steps that reps can take, even during the recession, to build a stronger union in the workplace? The things to be done can be placed in the following categories:

• assessing the union’s current organisational strength;

• campaigning on the issues that matter to workers; and

• creating opportunities for activity.