Welcome to the UNISON Scotland's stewards and workplace
reps training programme for 2016.
Following a review of last year's training and a survey of
local branch requirements for 2016, the Learning and Organising
committee has designed a comprehensive and professional development
and training programme to meet the needs and demands of our
newly elected stewards, workplace representatives and union
activists.
This year's programme has been adapted to take account of a
request for more flexibility on the days on which courses are
run and has prioritised the courses that our members and activists
have identified as their primary priorities.
We have continued to include variety and specialist courses to empower our active members with the knowledge which will help them build personal confidence and provide them with the ability to challenge and tackle bad practices in the workplace.
Our programme acknowledges the threats that lie ahead for the
union in the form of the Government's union reforms, which threaten
to drastically curb union activity and put both civil rights
and industrial relations at risk, and the ongoing onslaught
of austerity cuts on public services.
Training and education is vital to the professional development of our activists, By gaining new knowledge and skills, and connecting with other activists in a learning environment, the movement as a whole is strengthened.
Training significantly contributes to an organising union,
the wisdom that it brings develops strong voices which in turn
create organisational strength.
For those of you who are looking at this brochure and wondering if you will be allowed by your employer to participate in the wonderful educational opportunities that are available, the Learning and Organising committee would like to remind everyone - that every trade union representative working for an employer where the trade union is recognised for collective bargaining has a legal right to paid release from work to carry out duties and activities relevant to their role.
They also have legal rights to attend training relevant to
those duties and activities - source ACAS
Code of Practice 3 (2010) - Time off for Trade Union duties
and activities.
If you want to help to address inequality and unfairness, to
improve terms and conditions, to fight for a living wage or
just simply make a positive difference in your workplace. It's
time...
TO GET INVOLVED, GET LEARNING AND GET ACTIVE!
LEARNING - IT JUST WORKS
Lawrence Hunter Chair, Learning and Organising Committee
Further information from Nancy Kelly on n.kelly@unison.co.uk
or Activist Education (Scotland)
01463 715891
activisteducationscotland@unison.co.uk
Learning
and Organising Course Programme
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