UNION LEARNING REPS

www.rmt.org.uk :: october 2006 :: RMTnews 19 A new model learning agreement has been approved by the union and is designed as a starting point for negotiating officers when formulating arrangements with an employer. The new model learning agreement is based on a previous version which was written in response to the rights that Union Learning Reps (ULRs) gained in 2002. This has now been updated to include the excellent terms RMT has managed to get agreed in recent learning agreements. Currently eleven learning agreements have been agreed at a national level – DLR, London Underground, Merseyrail Electrics, Metronet, Midland Mainline, Scotrail, Southeastern Trains, Southern Trains, Stagecoach Devon and Wilts and Dorset Bus Company. There are also many agreements which are in negotiations. All learning agreements have to be negotiated through the normal machinery. Usually, this will be done by the negotiating officers, company council (Port Authority or central negotiating committee), and senior HR management. Where there are already learning reps in place, their knowledge will be invaluable for creating a successful learning agreement. However, learning reps are not trained in negotiations and do not negotiate company-wide learning agreements. Where agreements are in place members can enjoy more learning opportunities and can have a say in what is required. If there is no learning agreement currently with your employer, there is a lot that you can do to help. Ask your local reps if there are any learning reps in your workplace or bring the subject up at branch meetings. You could also ask company council members if there is a learning agreement currently being negotiated. WHAT IS A LEARNING AGREEMENT? A Learning Agreement is an agreement between the employer and the union(s) that employer recognises. It will layout how the union learning agenda in that company will proceed, and normally includes such items as: • The number of Rail Union Learning Reps (RULRs) • Arrangements for RULRs to get paid release to undertake their role • Confidentiality for members who may be afraid that gaps in their knowledge may jeopardize their employability • Paid release for Skills for Life (numeracy and literacy) learners • Shift rearrangement so that learners can attend courses regularly • The setting up and running of a Steering Committee BIG ISSUE BIG CHEESE MEETS MEMBERS John Bird, founder and editor of the Big Issue, meets RMT members and Union Learning Reps at the Brighton Learning Centre As the Big Issue celebrates its 15-year anniversary, its founder and editor, John Bird, came to the Rail Union Learning centre at Brighton station to meet members and Union Learning Reps and talk about his book How to Change Your Life in Seven Steps. John Bird told the audience, packed with rail workers enrolled on various courses, about his turbulent childhood spent first in care and later in borstal and prison. John talked about how he had become interested in socialism and the trade union movement when working in the print industry before setting up the Big Issue in 1991. John explained how his experiences had taught him that “social change must come from the grassroots. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem”. He singled out RMT for particularly high praise and said that he is a great supporter of trade unionism and a big fan of Bob Crow! John Bird’s visit to the Brighton Learning Centre was part of an open day for new English and Maths classes. All new learners enrolling on the English course this term will receive a free copy of John Bird’s book. *If you would like to enrol on this course or if you would like more information about the Brighton Learning Centre, please contact Jen York on 01273 723066 or jenyork@rul.org.uk NEW DEAL FOR LEARNING LEARNING: Learning reps at Silverlink discuss a strategy for giving staff opportunities to take up available courses.