LEARNING AND ORGANISING

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: january 2010 :: RMTnews 27 R MT Learning and the Organising Unit spent a day together recently at the Merchant Seamen’s Memorial Home to look at ways to support each other, with two of the core aims of the union ‘educate and organise’. As expected there were many areas where the approach was similar and the end objectives complimented each other. The head of the organising unit Alan Pottage explained how organising had developed a member-led and driven strategy for recruiting and how this had proved a great benefit and a key factor in the union becoming the fastest growing trade union in Britain. He said that the organising unit will take the message to the workplace and support local activists in boosting their membership, but the real strength of the campaign has to be the reps and branch structure at the local level. “People must engage with the union through the branch as that is where we draw our collective strength from,” he said. The RMT Learning team explained their role in bringing lifelong learning into the workplace. Union learning reps can help support the recruitment agenda by offering clear benefits that members can access on a regular basis which can improve their life opportunities. The union learning rep can also provide the branch with knowledge and support, assisting other reps to access their rep training and ensuring they continue their development to support the work of the branch and supporting members. Head of RMT Learning Teresa Williams said that RMT Learning had evolved from individual learning projects and rail union learning, into a much more focused project which is helping to embed ULRs in the workplace across the whole of the union. “It is now at a point where it can offer support to other reps and become a sustainable part of the whole union structure and function effectively for the benefit of everyone,” she said. The two teams now have a clearer understanding of how each can support the union to continue its amazing growth and provide the service its members expect and deserve. So watch out for ULRs and reps in your area as RMT and its members build the union and demonstrate to the employers that we are one union and that unity is our strength. N early 70 RMT union learning reps (ULRs) from across England and Wales gathered together at Friends House in London for the second annual RMT ULR conference recently. The theme of the conference was planning and building for sustainability. The RMT learning team put together a programme which allowed the union learning reps to meet to celebrate their achievements and share best practice with each other. Guest speaker for the day RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “Learning reps are becoming more and more integral to the growth and success of the union. We are leading the way with RMT Learning and setting the standards that others have to achieve. “Working alongside the organising unit, learning reps are providing the core objectives of the trade union movement, educate, organise and agitate. “Union Learning Reps provide the key element of education which allows members to make choices for themselves and develop their full potential,” he said. After the forum session there were three workshops, planning for sustainability, The ULR’s role in recruiting and organising and finding support as a ULR’. These were delivered by RMT Learning Development Workers with support from the Organising unit. LEARNING AND ORGANISING UNION LEARNING CONFERENCE SUCCESS