TUC Education Update November 2012 issue In this issue: New eNotes Another great Women Officer’s Summer School Guide for trade union reps for sustainable development Mary Macarthur Holiday Trust - help for women in need of a break
New eNotes Just in time for the festive break, TUC Education have produced two new eNotes for union reps. The first eNote looks at the complex issue of vulnerable employment; why a worker may be vulnerable; the negative impact it can have on their lives and how union reps can support colleagues that may be in a precarious employment situation.
Safety representatives survey 2012 What’s new? Look out for Who to contact
TUC Education Update
Our second eNote looks at Bargaining for Skills and why pursuing learning and skills is such an important part of a reps’ role. The eNote explains; how training and development can improve conditions, pay and equality for workers; help engage members and get their backing and describe the benefits of investing in training and skills to employers.
Welcome to the November edition of TUC Education Update, which is mailed three times a year to union education officers, TUC course co-ordinators and tutors, and everyone with an interest in union education and training, with news and views from TUC Education. The Update is also available as an e-bulletin, register via the TUC unionlearn website at www.unionlearn.org.uk/register or www.unionlearn.org.uk/changedetails Over 7,500 people have subscribed to the Update, receiving up to date news as soon as it is published.
Other eNotes available include: Equality Law Additional Paternity Leave 1
The Sick Note
as a senior women trade union leader.
European Works Councils
Tea was taken at Westminster as guests of Yvette Cooper, Shadow Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities and 22 women representatives from both Houses of Parliament joined participants for discussions on a range of topics. These included Caroline Flint and Rachael Reeves. There were also very informative sessions on the economy, employment and equality law, organising and pensions.
Access these eNotes and more at goo.gl/JqsCo. eNotes coming soon are: Universal Credit Facility Time Equal Pay Supporting Learners Green workplaces Building a Stronger Workplace Union Another great Women Officer’s Summer School TUC Education’s 8th Women Officer’s ‘Summer’ school to place in London in mid October with 14 new women officers from a variety of unions. Usually, the course takes place in the summer but for 2012 only it was held in October, due to the Olympics. The week long course is designed to develop the next generation of women trade union leaders and women from Unison, GMB, Prospect, SCP, MU, CWU, NUT, UCU and the STUC participated. The TUC Educational Trust was able to offer 8 participants bursaries from the Mary Macarthur Trust, a fund set up in the name of the early twentieth century trade union leader. The course has a particular focus on organising and leadership as well as updating women on the latest national policy developments from TUC senior officers. A highlight was a contribution from Mary Boustead, ATL general secretary and chair of the Unionlearn board, sharing her experiences
Feedback from participants included:
'realised I am capable of more than I thought’ 'increased my confidence to reach beyond my current environment’ 'I feel inspired’ Guide for trade union reps for sustainable development This European guide for union reps with an interest in environmental issues is intended to be used as a tool to help trade unionists at all levels to better understand the importance of sustainable development in their own industries, workplaces and unions. 2
The guide includes information on the tools already available, many examples of union good practice in the UK and across the EU, and information on the rights and policies we want to promote. Whether through union-only initiatives or collective bargaining, we hope this guide will give inspiration to union representatives and provide a basis for unions to work together to promote solutions for people and the planet and not just for profit. Download the guide here https://www.tuc.org.uk/tucfiles/447/GreenSin d_ing1.pdf Mary Macarthur Holiday Trust - help for women in need of a break The Mary Macarthur Holiday Trust was founded in 1922 to award grants towards a holiday break for women who fit the criteria, whether in employment or not. Further information, details of criteria and how to apply is available at www.mmht.org.uk
representatives' survey. It is designed to provide the TUC and its affiliated trade unions with valuable information to help shape safety campaigning and organisation in the period ahead. The survey can be downloaded here http://www.tuc.org.uk/tucfiles/444/SAFETYREPS-SURVEY-2012.pdf What’s new?
Bargaining for skills eNote at www.tuclearning.net
Vulnerable employment eNote at www.tuclearning.net Look out for New Supporting learners eNote New Climbing Frame eNote Newly updated Working Women Workbook available in the new year New guide on Work and wellbeing – a
trade union resource Who to contact Regional Harry Cunningham – REO in Scotland t 0141 221 8545 e hcunningham@tuc.org.uk Pete Holland – REO in the North West t 0151 236 7678 e pholland@tuc.org.uk Julie Cook – REO in Wales t 02920 347010 e jcook@tuc.org.uk If you feel you would benefit, or know of a woman who would benefit from a Mary Macarthur Holiday then please contact Cheryl Andrews on 02920 359091 or email cheryl.andrews@mmht.org.uk
Marie Hughes – REO in the South West t 0117 947 0521 e mhughes@tuc.org.uk
Safety representatives survey 2012
Ian West – REO in Northern region t 0191 232 3175 e iwest@tuc.org.uk
This is the tenth biennial TUC safety
Trevor Sargison – REO in Yorks & Humber t 0113 242 9296 e tsargison@tuc.org.uk
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Pete Try – REO in East & West Midlands t 0121 236 4454 e ptry@tuc.org.uk Rob Hancock – REO in Southern & Eastern t 020 7467 1369 e rhancock@tuc.org.uk Theresa Daly – REO in Southern & Eastern t 020 7467 1238 e tdaly@tuc.org.uk Clare Moore – Northern Ireland ICTU Education & Training Officer t 02890 247940 e clare.moore@ictuni.org National Liz Rees – National Trade Union Education Manager t 020 7079 6923 e lrees@tuc.org.uk Jackie Williams – Education & Training Officer t 020 7079 6924 e jwilliams@tuc.org.uk Martin Hegarty – Education & Training Officer t 020 7079 6946 e mhegarty@tuc.org.uk Craig Hawkins – Online Learning Officer t 020 7079 6947 e chawkins@tuc.org.uk Anna Kalsi – E-learning Support Officer t 020 7079 6957 e akalsi@tuc.org.uk
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