UNION LEARNING REPRESENTATIVES

www.rmt.org.uk :: march 2007 :: RMTnews 19 S ince the beginning of the trade union movement education has been a high priority from the founding of the Workers’ Educational Association in 1903 to the more recent establishing of the Union Learning Rep. Since 1999 these reps have been paving the way for members to be able to access the basic right of obtaining knowledge. RMT has put Union Learning Reps (ULRs) in place, and, working with other unions, has established the unique role of the ‘Rail’ Union Learning Rep (RULRs) – reps who work together for to improve learning opportunities for the members of all rail unions. Currently there are approximately 350 Rail Union Learning Representatives in England, Scotland and Wales and over a 180 of these reps are RMT members. For the past eight years RULRs have been working hard to create a culture of lifelong learning in the transport industries. These reps break down barriers to learning and empower members to address their own skills gaps and to continue to learn throughout their lives. SKILLS FOR LIFE The major focus of a learning reps are skills for life which are the Maths, English and IT skills needed to do our jobs, run our homes, manage our money and enjoy a social life. They are key skills required to get involved in the community (including a trade union) and are essential to health and safety. RULRs play a crucial role in the development of skills for life in the workplace since they are in a position of trust that makes them ideally placed to encourage colleagues to come forward and seek help. Skills for life are the basis of all learning and enable learners to gain confidence in their abilities, but the reps role does not stop there. Reps support and encourage members in continuing to expand their knowledge and follow their interests and this could be anything from learning British Sign Language to undertaking a university degree. The knock on effects of lifelong learning and the vital work of the Rail Union Learning Representative is that it enables members to use their newly learnt skills in going for promotions, solving problems and make sound financial decisions. Ultimately, learning and knowledge enables individuals to lead happy, successful and healthy life, both at work and at home. LEARNING AGREEMENTS Together with employers, education providers and the TUC, RUL have made steps to overcome barriers to learning faced by members, in particular shift work, and have provided thousands of high quality learning and training opportunities. RUL has also been successful in company based projects, such as P2L (Passport 2 Learning), Brighton Learning Centre, Wilts and Dorset Learning Bus and the newly- opened Red Star Learning Centre. Rail Union Learning has started a new faze of the programme focusing on the following three areas Learning Agreement, Skills for Life and RULR Networks. The ultimate aim is to have the building blocks of a Learning Agreement, a network of learning reps and a Skills for Life initaitive in all companies to enable members to access learning opportunities. What exactly do learning reps do and what are their statutory rights? Starting in April 2003, Union Learning Representatives were given statutory rights at work equivalent to that of union health and safety representatives. These rights include reasonable paid time off for carrying out any of the following activities in relation to their union members: • Analysing learning or training needs • Providing information and advice about learning or training matters • Arranging learning or training • Promoting the value of learning or training • Consulting the Employer about carrying out any of the above activities • Preparing to carry out any of the above activities • Undergoing relevant training Employees are entitled to unpaid time off to access services provided by their ULR. Union Learning Representatives have an initial five-day training course and a further course in Skills for Life awareness. There are also further TUC training modules to provide on going training. In April, the third RUL Conference will take place enabling reps from across England to unite and celebrate what has been achieved so far. have been supported into learning. Rail Union Learning Representatives are now standing proudly side by side union and health and safety reps making the workplace a fairer, safer and now a smarter workplace. If you want to make a difference and are interested in becoming a learning reps, talk to your Branch Secretary. For further information please contact your learning officer on 020 7529 8820 or email info@rul.org.uk For further information on Rail Union Learning and Rail Union Learning Representatives follow the RUL links on www.rmt.org.uk or visit www.rul.org.uk UNION LEARNING REPRESENTATIVES the way forward for unions and workplaces