UNION LEARNING

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2011 :: RMTnews 16 This year’s Union Learning Reps’ (ULRs) conference was called ‘making it happen’, and the RMT learning team put together a programme which allowed reps to meet up, celebrate their achievements and share best practice with each other. Project Manager Teresa Williams gave the conference an update on the achievements over the last three years, demonstrating not only that reps reflect the demographic makeup of the union but that lifelong learning is an excellent way to attract non-traditional activists to become involved with their unions and even to develop into the more established roles such as company councils, health and safety reps and branch officials. As well as the briefing and question time session there were three workshops: ‘What have you done and what are you going to do?’, ‘ULR Tools’ and ‘Funding – keeping learning activity affordable’. These were delivered by the development workers and were aimed at enhancing the skills of the ULRs to plan and run learning events in their workplaces which will lead to further courses and learning opportunities. Andrew Brattle from RMT’s communications department was at the conference to film the event and interview ULRs who work at the coal face and find out what they had to say about learning, their union and the role of the ULR. Guest speaker RMT education officer Andy Gilchrist said that learning reps were 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. “I have been asked several times today if the ULR was now at the point where their status should be enshrined in the rule book at AGM next year. “To that I say that ULRs need to go back to their branches and use the democratic process which allows them to lobby for and put a motion to the AGM. “Wherever you go now you will come across a ULR and they are a key part of what we do and how we engage with members and, in particular, potential members,” he said. The day proved to be a great success, the feedback from the ULRs was very positive with all the delegates looking forward to next year’s event. Eurostar ULR Jennifer Kissi Debrah enjoyed meeting other reps, some from her ULR training and others for the first time. “We all had different issues and ideas on how to solve them. “The workshops also helped us to focus on the challenges ahead and how to work within the branch structure. “Union learning has had a massive impact on the activity of women within the union and has given many people the confidence to become involved for the first time,” she said. RMT Learning is constantly looking at ways to provide new learning opportunities for its members and build the structure of Union Learning Reps across the UK. If you are interested in making a real difference as a ULR then contact your local branch secretary or Lindsay Rutland at l.rutland@rmt.org.uk or call RMT Learning on 020 7529 8820 UNION LEARNING Over 50 RMT Union Learning Reps from across England and Wales gathered in Doncaster last month for their fourth annual conference.