UĦM Voice of the Workers eMagazine issue 32

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VOICE OF THE

WORKERS ISSUE 32 AUGUST 2014

Contents The Name of the Game

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What they said on communication, trade unions, and in between... 03 Employee representation in the European Union: The role of Trade Unions

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Trade Unions and Communications with workers 05 Communication for Effective Participation

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Trade Union Communication:

THE OPEN PATH British-born and American Union leader Samuel Gompers once stated: “The trade union movement represents the organized economic power of the workers... It is in reality the most potent and the most direct social insurance the workers can establish”. Trade Unions are a vital force for good in every democracy. It is the means by which workers can come together to further their well-being, their families’ as well as their country’s benefit. Today, Trade Unions are also effective because they are an essential part of social dialogue; part of a tripartite system that VOICE OF THE

WORKERS

bridges together the interests of government, employers as well as the workers themselves.

The secret behind the success of every representative organisation is how well it manages to stay in close contact with its grassroots. It is an essential element of communication that permits the organisation to truly reflect the needs and aspirations of its members, and in return, keep it relevant. This truth also applies to trade unions. Reality points to a changing labour scenario. These changes

EDITOR’S NOTE JOSEF VELLA are stemming from changes in spheres such as technology, society, education and others. Rather than being mutually exclusive, these changes are interdependent. This brings about a host of challenges. Increased mobility of workers, swifter shifts in work practices and new technologies, working from home and micro enterprises, contract work and others, are increasing the difficulties in communicating with members as well as other workers. There is almost a catch 22 situation here: if the Trade Union is to be relevant, it needs to stay in touch with its grassroots. On the other hand, if 1


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