CWU Members Handbook by Communications Workers' Union

CWUHandbookCvr:Layout 1

20/01/2011

14:31

Page 1

CWU Members Handbook

CONTENTS

page

CWU at a Glance

Advantages

Benefits & Funds

Added Benefits

CWU â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Helping you to help others

Structure of the Union

How you can participate

Your Union, Your Voice

How to keep up-to-date

10.

Youth Committee

Appendix

1. CWU AT A GL ANCE Now you have joined the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) we would like to welcome you and let you know about some of the advantages, benefits, and choices your membership entitles you to. These are summarised below along with some useful information on how you can get involved with your Union. Advantages: As a member you have the expertise of the Union and its Officials to advise you on matters ranging from wages and conditions of employment, Health & Safety issues, and to provide up-to-date information on all employment legislation which can impact on your working life. The Union can also provide you with a personal service which can range from confidential, work-related information to legal advice. In addition, should you find yourself subject to a disciplinary procedure, you are entitled to Union representation. The Union can provide you with guidance, professional advice, and personal representation at meetings, if required. If the problem that you are experiencing at work can not be resolved by talking with your manager/employer, the Union will, on your behalf, take the issue to the appropriate third party, such as a Rights Commissioner or the Employment Appeals Tribunal. If it is a collective issue and affects a number of people in the same workplace it can be raised with the Labour Relations Commission and if an acceptable solution is not found, the matter can then be referred to the Labour Court if the internal procedures do not lead to a satisfactory solution. Benefits and Funds: These are automatic entitlements which come with membership. To be an “In Benefit” member means that you are entitled to the services and additional benefits offered to members. You must be a paid up member for a minimum period of 8 weeks to receive these benefits.

Some funds are specific to the sector you are employed in, e.g. An Post or eircom. Added Benefits: There are a range of special discounts which are available to you as a union member. All you need is to quote your membership number to avail of them. The Union has arranged discounts on things as essential as insurance cover for your car, home and holidays. Then there are funds which are optional and additional to the general membership fee. These cover medical benefits such as optical/ dental/ surgical & medical appliances. There are also a range of discounts available to members with various retailers and services, such as Aura Sport & Leisure Management and Vision Express. CWU â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Helping you to help others: The Union has other optional funds, such as the Intellectual Disability Housing Fund and the CWU Charitable Fund, which members can contribute towards if they wish. Structure of the Union: If you are not familiar with the democratic process within the Union, there is a chart contained in the more detailed section on the subject, which illustrates how the process operates. How you can participate: Once you become a member you can use your voice to influence the environment in your workplace by raising concerns and issues that impact on the day-to-day working life of you and your colleagues. Members may choose to take a more active role in the Union by becoming a Representative. The CWU provides training to any member interested in becoming more actively involved in the Union. Your Union, Your Voice: Not everyone who joins a union attends meetings and participates fully in the business and decision-making process of the union. The option is available to you, but the majority of people who join are quite happy to leave the day-today running of union business to the workplace elected Representatives who keep members up-to-date on what is happening in their Branch. However getting involved with the CWU can be a rewarding experience that will greatly enhance your personal skills and which can benefit your career development.

If you want to become involved and be a Union Representative, the Union provides training, advice and information to assist you in the role. Paid release from work is also available for Representatives in some workplaces. Many Union Representatives also take part in the Unions’ various committees and go forward for the National Executive Council. The level of your involvement and participation is up to you. How to keep up-to -date: Your local Representative can keep you informed of what is happening in your Branch or Section. General Secretary Circulars are sent to Branches detailing issues which may affect our members. These are often displayed on a notice board and/or circulated via email. These circulars can also be accessed on the CWU website www.cwu.ie The Union magazine “Connect”, which is published 4 times a year, can keep you updated on what is taking place in your industry, on industrial relations events, not to mention special discounts and services available to you as a member. Youth Committee: If you are under 35 years of age you can take part in the Union’s Youth Committee which arranges meetings, training and social events relevant to younger and new members.

2. ADVANTAGES The Communications Workers’ Union is the premier union for the postal, telecommunications, call centre and IT sectors. With members in eircom, An Post, Vodafone, Meteor, O2, American Airlines, IBM and many others, the CWU has a proven track record in representing members’ interests. Today there are almost 18,000 members in the Union. The CWU successfully negotiates wages and salaries for the majority of workers employed in the Irish communications industry and would be able to do so for you. One of the strengths which your CWU negotiators can bring to bear on your behalf is their detailed knowledge of pay rates in the industry. As a result we know what the appropriate remuneration is for the work you and your colleagues are carrying out. This is particularly important in workplaces where employers negotiate individual contracts with employees. It is not uncommon to find major differences in pay between workers doing exactly the same work in such companies. The fact that the CWU knows the rates of pay in the industry and knows how your company is faring financially will help ensure that you get a fair deal in your salary cheque. Providing Better Packages: Wages or salaries should only be one part of a worker’s overall remuneration package, which should also include pension and sick pay arrangements. Unfortunately, as recent reports have pointed out, too many companies do not honour their responsibilities to their staff in this regard. What is nearly worse is that some companies offer such packages to their executive staff but refuse to do so for the rest of their workforce. The CWU has successfully negotiated such arrangements with employers for thousands of its members. The Union’s experience in this regard could be of great benefit to you. Equality & Diversity: Equal rights are of vital importance to the CWU. Our mission is to work towards greater equality for all our members in their places of employment, through providing information and assistance on equality related matters and through creating awareness for our members on their rights and responsibilities under current legislation.

The CWU respects and values the diversity of our employees, our members and all those that we do business with. We are fully committed to valuing diversity and strive to promote equality of opportunity throughout the Union. The CWU has an Equality Committee that is elected once ever y two years. The Committee is trained on equality related matters and meets regularly to discuss our equality agenda for our members. Despite progress made in the area of equality, much remains to be done, particularly in relation to introducing family-friendly and work/life balance policies. This means keeping these issues at the top of the agenda and at every opportunity encouraging employers to see the benefits for all concerned. Flexible working hours are non-statutory and employees unfortunately do not have an automatic entitlement to them. This is one area where the Union can negotiate on behalf of members, either individually or collectively, to encourage employers to introduce such policies and improve membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work/life balance.

3. BENEFITS AND FUNDS What happens if I fall seriously ill? Can I have my income maintained? How do I cope with a serious accident? Have I any support in times of legal difficulty? Most of us have to be concerned not just about ourselves, but about how our families are to be provided for in the event of an illness or financial crisis. Everybody knows the benefit of being a CWU member for protection against injustice at work, maintaining pay and conditions, protecting employment and lobbying government on behalf of our industry. However, you may not realise that the CWU provides many other social, legal and welfare services for its members. We have negotiated some excellent preferential insurance rates through Halligan Insurances and FM Downes & Co. Brokers, and we continually look at how to improve our services for members.

Sickness Benefit Subject to Union Rules and on production of the requisite documentation, a member on reduced basic pay, following a continuous or accumulative absence of 26 weeks from duty (in accordance with the sick pay regulations of the relevant company) resulting from illness or accident may be paid an amount up to 70% of his/her basic pay while a member of the Union. Requests for sickness benefit from members who have not had such an absence may be considered on their merits by the Management Committee subject to the sanction of the National Executive Council. Any such payments will be inclusive of payments/grants from An Post and eircom’s Medisan Fund and the State Pay Related Social Insurance. To apply, obtain a form from Union Head Office through the Branch/Section Secretary, complete same and return with payslip and medical certificate, consultants report or a doctor-to-doctor report.

Mortality Benefit A member may be paid €635 on the death of his/her spouse. The next-of-kin may be paid €5,080 on the death of a member. An associate member may be paid €635 on the death of his/her spouse. The next-of-kin may be paid €635 on the death of an associate member.

The mortality benefit payable to the estate of a member of the Retired Members Section shall be €1,270. To apply, obtain a form from Union Head Office through the Branch/Section Secretary, complete same and return with copy of Death Certificate. In certain cases the Union may also require sight of the grant of probate or letters of administration, whichever is applicable.

Hardship Applications for financial assistance from the fund in such cases are considered on their merits by the Management Committee and grants are made in certain limited circumstances subject to the sanction of the National Executive Council. To apply, submit details of the case through the Branch/Section Secretary to the Financial Officer at Union Head Office, for consideration by the Finance Committee.

Personal Accident Personal Accident Cover is provided FREE for all “In Benefit” members of the Union. The financing of this cover is provided for from the central funds of the Union and the members therefore do not have to pay any additional contribution. The scheme provides for the payment of certain sums in the case of death, loss of limbs, and certain hospital charges, detailed on the schedule of benefits page. All current “In Benefit” members of the CWU are covered 24 hours a day, 365 days year, anywhere in the world. The only exclusions are injuries consequent upon war, whether declared or undeclared, intentional self-inflicted injury including suicide or attempted suicide, aerial flight other than as a passenger, sickness or disease. A claim form can be obtained from your local Branch Secretary or Union Head Office. Return the form with a certificate regarding hospitalisation. In the case of death, a Coroner’s Report and grant of probate or letters of administration (whichever is applicable) will also be required.

Legal Aid This scheme, which is funded from the central funds of the Union, provides assistance to “In Benefit” members of the Union in certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions in relation to: • • • • •

Offences under the Road Traffic Acts Compensation claims Inquests Wills Certain legal advice

Requests for assistance relating to matters covered by the scheme must be submitted with details of the case through the Branch/Section Secretary, to Union Head Office. The case will then be forwarded to the Union’s solicitors for advice.

4. ADDED BENEFITS In addition to the advantages and benefits already outlined, there are choices which your membership brings in the form of special discounts. Some people when they change or leave an employment retain their CWU membership in order to still qualify for the discounts which their membership entitles them to avail of. See examples below of the various insurance schemes we have arranged for our members. Personal Accident Insurance (FREE to all “In Benefit” members) Accident Cover Details Death by accidental means Loss of two or more limbs, or both eyes, or one of each Permanent total disablement from any occupation Burns benefit, up to a maximum of Fracture to leg (including ankle) Fracture to arm (including wrist) Hospitalisation per week*

Amount Payable €30,000 €30,000 €30,000 €6,000 €1,500 €750 €300

*payable after 24 hours, limited to 52 weeks The only exclusions are injuries consequent upon: war, whether declared or not; intentional self-inflicted injury, including suicide; flying in aircraft, other than as a passenger; sickness or disease. When more than one form of disablement results from one accident no more than €30,000 shall be paid. Cover for professional or semi-professional sports-people is excluded. As an “In Benefit” member of the CWU, Personal Accident Insurance is provided FREE OF CHARGE, as the Union pays the cost.

Extra Cover for Committee Members** Accident Cover Details

Amount Payable

Accidents / Death Loss of eye/ limb/ speech/ total disablement Temporary total disablement*

€ 30,000 €20,000 €200

*payable weekly after 14 days **Cover operates whilst working on Union business or commuting to same

How to apply for benefit after an accident A benefit claim form can be obtained from your local Branch Secretary or Union Head Office. Members often ask if they can continue with their cover if they leave the Union. Unfortunately, no. It is one of the many perks of being a CWU member and cover ceases once you are no longer an “In Benefit” member of the Union. However, Halligan Insurances can arrange a separate policy at low cost (see below). Family Personal Accident Cover Cover for member + spouse/partner + children Gives a wide range of cover against those unforeseen risks €70,000 payable for accidental death, loss of an eye or limb €200 weekly income for “out of work” benefit if due to an insured accident (payable after 26 weeks, for up to two years) €300 weekly hospital benefit (payable after 24 hours of hospitalisation, for up to 26 weeks) €1,500 breakage of leg benefit €750 breakage of arm benefit Total cost (for members, spouse/partner & children) €2.42 per week

Benefits for children are at 50% of member’s rate, except for weekly income (nil) and accidental death where €5,000 maximum applies. Children covered from ages 1 to 18 years, or to age 21 if in fulltime education. CWU Motor Insurance (paid by salar y deduction) Discounts available Offering competitive quotes for CWU members + spouses Payment accepted by salary deduction over 52 weeks Alternative quotes matched, subject to terms and conditions Low premiums – can be paid weekly/ fortnightly/ monthly CWU Home Insurance (paid by salar y deduction) Extra 20% “No Claims Discount” available Comprehensive cover for both Buildings and Contents Includes Accidental Damage cover and Miscellaneous cover for valuables/money lost or stolen outside the home Premiums from €5.00 per week CWU Specified Illness Cover (for all the family) €50,000 tax free payable to member and spouse €20,000 tax free payable for children (automatically included) Cover for 26 illnesses: Cancer, Stroke, Heart Attack, MS, Angioplasty, Parkinsons, Brain Tumour, Paralysis, Kidney Failure, Emphysema, Coma, and more Low cost payable weekly/ fortnightly CWU Life Insurance (for all the family) Low cost cover for member + spouse/partner + children Group Life Scheme giving cover of €100,000 per member Plus €100,000 per spouse/partner, plus €10,000 per child (ages 1 to 21 years) Cost for member €3.89 before tax (€2.29 after tax @ 41%) Cost for spouse/partner €3.03 (no tax relief given) Children are covered free of charge Any enquiries to Halligan Insurances – Tel: (01) 879 7100 or info@halligan.ie

CWU AVC Savings Scheme (for An Post & eircom Employees) Get tax relief on your savings now, while saving to improve your pension benefits at retirement. Full details from your Branch Secretary or the scheme advisers To find out more on any of the above schemes contact:

Halligan Insurances Unity Building, 16/17 Lower Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell Street, Dublin 1 Tel: (01) 879 7100

Email: info@halligan.ie

Web: www.halligan.ie

Halligan Insurances is a member of I.B.A. and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Holiday Insurance 10% discount available to CWU members Annual policies and premiums Annual policies including winter sports These are available to CWU members via the website www.getcover.com where you can avail of cover as late as the day you are travelling. You can also contact them by telephone on 1850 927 247. CWU Travel Insurance Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Cover for Worldwide Travel, including winter sports Member, spouse and all children to age 18 for just â&#x201A;Ź64.85 per annum For further information log onto www.fmdownes.com/travelinsurance.html or call FM Downes & Co. on (01) 855 6666.

CWU Health Insurance Private Health Insurance is necessary if you want the peace of mind that you will not have to face a waiting list if you or your family need a medical or surgical procedure carried out.

On behalf of the CWU members, FM Downes & Co. Brokers negotiated special rates through Payroll Deduction for Aviva Health’s best value Corporate Health Insurance Plans. This gives you access to more hospitals and treatment centres nationwide than any other health insurer, best cover for scans & health screens in the market, and money back on dayto-day medical expenses incurred throughout the year, such as GP, physiotherapist, dentist and much more. For further information log onto www.fmdownes.com/healthins.html or call FM Downes & Co. on (01) 855 6666.

CWU Mortgage Ser vice Securing a mortgage is more complex than ever before and preparation is key. FM Downes & Co. Brokers can coach CWU members in this area, starting at least 6 months in advance of when you will require your mortgage. If you find yourself in financial difficulty, FM Downes & Co. Brokers can renegotiate terms of CWU Members’ mortgages with your lender on your behalf. If you have an existing mortgage and you are paying for a mortgage protection policy talk to FM Downes & Co. Brokers to ensure that you are getting the best value in this area. For further information log onto www.fmdownes.com/mortgages.html or call FM Downes & Co. Brokers on (01) 855 6666.

CWU Medical Fund Members of the fund contribute €2.50 per week (from the 1st June 2010) to same. Members may make one claim for benefit under each of the following headings in any 12 month period from the last treatment date: Dental Grant Optical Grant Surgical and Medical Appliances

Up to €305.00 Up to €152.00 Up to €152.00

All claims must be processed through the member’s Branch to Union Head Office. Claims for children aged between 1 and 18 years only.

Aura Sport & Leisure Management Ltd Aura and the Communications Workers’ Union have teamed up to provide members of the CWU with a 10% discount on the cost of an annual membership. This offer is available to all members of the CWU and is valid at all 8 Aura leisure centres throughout Ireland (Carrick-on-Shannon, Letterkenny, Tullamore, Youghal, Dundalk, Drogheda, Trim and Navan). As the fastest growing operator in Ireland, Aura continues to deliver on its promise of value and great service for all of its users – a simple formula with a proven track record of success. To avail of this offer simply present your Union membership card at any of the 8 Aura leisure centres and you will receive a 10 % discount on the cost of annual membership. The cost of annual membership and facilities vary from centre to centre, for example single annual membership ranges from €316 in Dundalk to €535 in Letterkenny. Family membership is available at all Aura leisure centres and CWU members can avail of discounts averaging €100 per family. Aura also provides the option of paying by direct debit. For more information on rates and facilities contact your nearest Aura leisure centre.

McInerney Sports Good News for sports fans. The Communications Workers’ Union has negotiated “a 10% discount on all purchases of football packages” for CWU members. This offer is available on all packages to England, Scotland and Spain. To avail of this offer please quote your CWU membership number at time of booking. For bookings call 1850 206 080 or visit www.mcinerneysports.com

Vision Express The CWU has teamed up with Vision express to enable our members to avail of special offers on spectacles and contact lenses. To avail of the offer just print off the voucher from the CWU website. Vision Express has stores in Athlone, Cork, Galway and Dublin. Contact your nearest store to arrange an appointment and remember to bring your voucher! Find a store nearest to you on the website www.visionexpress.ie

Dr. Eugene G. O’Brien, Dentist As you have probably heard, the PRSI scheme for dental treatment has been almost removed. All that remains is one free examination a year. The price for a private examination, scale and polish here is €90. (The national average according to a recent article in the Irish Times is €105.00). Dr. O’Brien will undertake a six monthly examination, scale and polish for €50 for PRSI patients. As some CWU members are already patients, Dr. O’Brien has decided to reduce this fee by a further 20% to €40 per person for CWU members and their families. Dr. O’Brien will reduce the rate by more than 20% from €90 to €70 for private patients. Emergencies will be seen the same day if possible. The surgery is conveniently located opposite Arnotts main door above the Vodafone shop (51 Henry Street, Dublin 1). For an appointment call (01) 873 0809 – opening hours are 8am-5pm Monday to Thursday.

Pinnacle Driving School The Communications Workers’ Union has teamed up with Pinnacle Driving School, a national driving school with instructors in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Bray to provide discounted driving lessons to all CWU members. All instructors are ADI qualified and pass rates are at least 15% above the average in all test centres. This offer is also extended to CWU members buying gift vouchers for a third-party. Unlike other vouchers Pinnacles’ do not have an expiry. So they can be redeemed at any time in the future. CWU Members can avail of the special offer of only €30 per lesson (normally €35), this includes pre-test lessons and is extended to the family of CWU members. To book a lesson please call (01) 455 9231 and quote CWU offer or visit their websites: Dublin: Cork: Limerick: Galway: Bray:

www.drivinglessonsdublin.ie www.drivinglessonscork.com www.drivinglessonslimerick.ie www.drivinglessonsgalwaycity.ie www.drivinglessonsbray.ie

National Sea Life Centre Great family-day-out special discounts for CWU members and their families. • Individuals: Save €3 off full admission price • Special family offer: Supersaver deal of €20 for family of 4 (normal price €35). Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion to avail of this offer simply National Sea Life Centre, Bray Seafront, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Tel: (01) 286 6939 or visit www.sealife.ie

Viking Splash Tours Planning a trip to Dublin, organising a superb start to a corporate night out just trying to arrange something special for a child’s birthday treat then why not book a trip on Viking Splash Tours for a unique Dublin experience by Land and Water. Our Viking tour guides are the most engaging and amusing that you are likely to find in Dublin City. With our fantastic Amphibious World War II Vehicles (DUKWs) the tour will show you around the sights of Dublin City by land and by water! (Tour lasts approx 1 hr 15mins). Frequent departures throughout the year. Please Call in advance to make your booking (01) 707 6000. Pricing is as follows: • Adult (full-price) €20 • Children (12 and under) €10 • Students/Seniors €18 Members of the Communications Workers’ Union will receive a 10% discount on these prices. To avail of this offer mention that you are a Communications Workers’ Union member at time of booking.

5. CWU - HELPING YOU TO HELP OTHERS Optional funds are also operated by the Union for which additional contributions are payable by members. Distress Fund is used mainly for the purpose of relieving distress amongst members on official dispute. Intellectual Disability Housing Fund enables the Union to give grants towards the purchase of homes/houses on an annual basis to enable people with an intellectual disability to take their place within the community. The fund is administered by an Advisory Committee, the CWU Finance Committee appointed by the National Executive Council of the Union, and three members appointed by Inclusion Ireland. Orphan’s Pension Fund allows in the event of the member’s death a sum of €20 per week (paid monthly) to be paid in respect of each child registered with the fund until that child reaches the age of 18 years. Members must register the names of each of their children with the fund in order to have cover provided by the scheme. This scheme is a FREE benefit to all members and application forms may be obtained from your Branch Secretary or Union Head Office. Payments are commenced to eligible children when the member’s death is brought to the attention of Union Head Office.

CWU Ireland Humanitarian Fund Since the establishment of the fund in 2008 the members have raised over €70,116.83 through sponsorship from Medisan, Halligan Insurances, Irish Life, Baby Elegance, KNN, An Post, eircom and many other outside companies. The need for humanitarian aid is so widespread in Europe, both in Bulgaria and Romania, it is hoped that through the UK Humanitarian Charity further commitments may be made to try to alleviate poverty within their communities. Words cannot express their gratitude, by visiting these projects one can see the good work achieved for people less fortunate than ourselves.

CWU Charitable Fund Following a discussion with the General Secretary and the Finance Committee it was proposed that the National Executive Council would consider setting up a CWU Charitable Fund. This fund shall be open to all members of the Union. Each member will have the facility to donate a regular sum of money directly into the CWU Charitable Fund. For those members currently paying into their various charities, their contributions will be allocated to their sponsored charities. Going forward all new members can pay a variable contribution of their choice from €0.50 up to €10.00 and allocation of the contributions collected will be apportioned on a percentage basis annually to the various charities covering the following (at present the ratio is 75% to the African and Irish Projects and 25% to other projects): • Intellectual Disability Housing Fund • The Hospice Foundation • CWU Development Fund covering the African Projects and all other foreign projects The allocation of funds shall be subject to debate by the NEC Finance Sub-Committee and the final approval by the National Executive Council. Since its inception in 2002 the Fundraising Appeal has raised over €1.4 million and it is heartening to know that the CWU members have supported over 41 projects in this time (details of which can be found on our website www.cwu.ie). Most of the building projects supported include schools, hospitals, orphanages, hospices, educational and nutrition programmes, and projects related to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa and irrigation projects in West Africa. The proceeds of the fund will be used to support a range of worthy projects in Africa and overseas aimed at helping people living in extreme poverty.

6. STRUCTURE OF THE UNION Like any large organisation, the CWU is structured into various units. As a member it is important that you know and understand how the Union operates.

House Group or Section Every employment where the CWU has members, the Union organises the members into Sections or House Groups so that they can discuss issues of common concern and decide what action they would like to take on these issues. Each group elects its own representative or ‘Shop Steward’ who sees that the views of the group’s members are acted upon. Sometimes, if the workplace is large enough, there will be a ‘House Committee’ or even a ‘Shop Stewards Committee’.

Branches Sections/House Groups come together to form Branches. The Branches are based on grouping together workers in similar types of jobs and can also be based on geographic regions. Every Branch elects a Committee each year, which meets on a regular basis.

Biennial Conference The Union holds a conference once every two years where representatives of each Branch, known as delegates, meet to discuss issues of concern to members like you and decide on policy. This conference elects the Union’s National Executive Council, including the President, who are charged with overseeing the implementation of conference decisions and deciding on policy in between each conference.

Officials The Union has a number of full-time officials whose primary role is to be available to represent the members in negotiations and to provide advice. Some of these officials, the National Officers, also have responsibility for the overall day-to-day running of the Union. The General Secretary, Steve Fitzpatrick, is the top official in the Union.

Head Office The Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head office is based in Dublin and this is where the Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full-time officials and administration are located.

The following chart illustrates how issues are raised and processed on your behalf by the CWU:

7. HOW YOU C AN PARTICIPATE The real strength of any trade union is its members. A workplace rep, or Shop Steward, is a union member elected by his/her colleagues who works with the members to represent their interests with management. As a Union Rep, you are often the face of the union and it is your task to keep members up-to-date on developments and to liaise between your members and your Branch. In your role as a Union Rep your duties could include the following:

Recruiting and Organising Members • • • •

Knowing who is and is not a member Recruiting non-members Encouraging existing members to become more involved in the union Keeping members informed of what is going on in the union and their workplace

Representing members • • • • •

Listening to members’ problems Investigating problems fully Discussing solutions with management Representing members in grievances, disciplinaries and other issues Attending meetings with management and reporting back to members

Representing the union • Shaping and implementing union policy • Talking to members about these • Giving out union leaflets and newsletters If you would like to find out more about becoming a Union Rep contact your Branch Secretary or contact Head Office directly.

Training for Activists The CWU provides comprehensive and quality training courses to our Union Activists. This training enables activists to represent members to the best of their abilities and enhances their effectiveness as Union Representatives. Our internal training consists of the following training courses: Equality Representative: The intention of the course is to train an Equality Rep in each Branch who would then become the resident expert on equality issues and who would be updated on a regular basis by Union Head Office. It is a two day course delivered by our Education Committee and it covers Equality Legislation in some detail. Organising Training: This is a one day course for Organisers and it covers issues such as “why join a union”, “what unions do”, and objection handling. Branch Officer: This is a two day training course which takes place in CWU Head Office. This is for anyone who is a Branch Officer and the training is undertaken by our Education Committee. The main focus of the course is on the role of the various officers, organising meetings, as well as areas such as grievance handling, overview of legislation, organising, negotiating skills etc. Committee Member: We run a number of these sessions throughout the year. It is generally a one day session run over a Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, or a full day Saturday and is run on a regional basis. The training is undertaken by our Education Committee and we tailor the courses to suit the individual needs of the Branch. Branch Secretar y Stage 1: This is a four/five day course which takes place in CWU Head Office. It is for Branch Secretaries who have just been elected. The training is undertaken by our Education Committee. The modules we cover include role of the Branch Secretary, Officers and Committee, why join a union, negotiation and communications skills, practical exercises, Employment and Equality Legislation, the role of the Union Rep in bullying & harassment cases, grievance & disciplinary procedures, State IR machinery, and the Branch Secretary as an Organiser.

Branch Secretar y Stage 2: This is a four/five day course which takes place in CWU Head Office. It is for Branch Secretaries who have been in the job for more than one year. The training is undertaken by our Education Committee. The modules on the course are similar to Stage 1 but some of the content is more detailed and we use the experience as a Branch Secretary to develop their skills. Branch Secretar y Stage 3: This is a three day course which takes place in CWU Head Office. It is for Branch Secretaries who have been in the position for a number of years and who have not completed any training for two or three years. The training is undertaken by our Education Committee. The aim of the course is to update them in relation to Employment and Equality Legislation and develop their skills further. Branch Chairperson: This is a three day training course which takes place in CWU Head Office. This is for anyone who is a Branch or Section Chairperson. The training is undertaken by our Education Committee. The main focus of the course is on the role of the Chairperson, preparing for meetings etc, but we also cover areas such as grievance handling, organising, overview of legislation, negotiating skills etc. Branch Treasurer: This is a two day training course which takes place in CWU Head Office. This is for anyone who is a Treasurer of a Branch. Training is undertaken by our Education Committee. The main focus of the course is on the role of the Treasurer and treasurer reports, but we also cover areas such as grievance handling, organising, overview of legislation, negotiating skills etc. Union Adviser: This is a new course which we are piloting this year and it involves some of our more experienced activists taking on a role in grievance & disciplinary cases involving new members. The course concentrates on grievance and disciplinary handling.

8. YOUR UNION, YOUR VOICE The Union holds a Biennial Conference which agrees and decides Union policy for the next two years. The process begins when an individual member raises an issue at Branch level or proposes a Motion to be discussed at Conference. All Motions are reviewed and those that go forward for Conference are discussed. Delegates attending the Conference have the opportunity to vote on acceptance or rejection of the Motion. (See Appendix 1: Guidelines to assist members when submitting Motions to their Branch) Once a Motion is agreed at Conference it then becomes Union policy and is included in the programme of work for the coming two years. Also at the Biennial Conference elections take place for those who wish to go forward to the National Executive Council (NEC). All delegates have the opportunity to vote for those who put their names forward. The successful candidates, besides forming the NEC, also take part in the various Union Committees: • • • • • • •

Education Committee Equality Committee Finance Committee General Purpose Committee (GPC) Health & Safety Committee Organising Committee Rationalisation Committee

You as a member within your workplace or Branch make a decision and it is the Union that has to comply with it.

9. HOW TO KEEP UP-TO -DATE Your local Representative can keep you informed of what is happening in your Branch or Section. General Secretary Circulars are sent to Branches detailing issues which may affect our members. These are often displayed on a notice board and/or circulated via email. These circulars can also be accessed on the CWU website www.cwu.ie The Union website (www.cwu.ie) is updated regularly with information relevant to our members and their industries. The Union also has a dedicated website for workers in Call Centres / Contact Centres (www.callcentres.ie) where members who work in this area can find specific information on this sector. Furthermore, the Union also has a presence on Facebook, with a page for all members to engage with each other and the Union (CWU Ireland). We also have a page for our younger members who may wish to get involved with the Youth Committee (CWU Youth Committee Ireland). The Union magazine â&#x20AC;&#x153;Connectâ&#x20AC;?, which is published 4 times a year, can keep you updated on what is taking place in your industry, on industrial relations events, not to mention special discounts and services available to you as a member.

10. YOUTH COMMIT TEE The Youth Committee is an important forum for our younger members to express their opinions and views on issues as they relate to young workers. The CWU has long recognised the unique challenges facing our younger members across all sectors. The aims of the Youth Committee, as set out in their recently agreed Action Plan, are: • To influence Union policy from the grassroots upward to reflect the particular needs and viewpoints of young members of the CWU • To encourage greater involvement of young members across all Branches and sectors of the Union • To support the effort to recruit young members into the Union and to encourage the building of activists within the Union • To drive campaigns that affect young people both within and without the trade union movement • To engage with youth groups in other trade unions and political movements • To work towards a seat on the Union’s National Executive Council for a member of the Youth Committee • To continue and increase their involvement in global youth committees Any young members interested in becoming involved or who are curious about the role of the Youth Committee should feel free to contact the Union for more information enquiries@cwu.ie

APPENDIX 1 The following guidelines may be of assistance to Members who wish to submit a Motion to their Branch for consideration at Biennial Conference.

Motions 1.

A Motion must contain an instruction from Conference to the National Executive Council (i.e. “Conference instructs the incoming National Executive Council to…”)

A Motion must not be negative in character

A Motion must deal with only one subject

It is advisable when formulating Motions to ensure that, where it refers to a specific company, that the company is named within the Motion

It should be remembered that the CWU does not represent all staff in most companies

Amendments to Motions 1.

An Amendment to a Motion must be directly relevant to that Motion

An Amendment to a Motion must not alter the substance of the Motion

An Amendment to a Motion may not bring a Motion which is out of order back into order

Addendum: An Addendum is an addition to a Motion and may not introduce new subject matter to the original Motion

A Branch must be present at a Conference in order to move a Motion or an Amendment. Branches, in submitting Amendments to Motions (i.e. an eircom Branch submitting an Amendment to an An Post Motion or vice versa) should note, if the Motion is proper to a Conference that the Branch is not eligible to attend, then the Amendment will fall.