Union Modernisation Fund First Round Winners
UNIONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
SUTCLIFFE ANNOUNCES UNION MODERNISATION FUND WINNERS
21 March 2006
Innovative projects to help trade unions adapt to meet the challenges of the modern workplace were announced today by Employment Relations Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.
The initiatives that have won funding from the Government’s Union Modernisation Fund include projects that will help unions to adapt and find new ways of working and serving their members, many of whom are in workplaces that have themselves undergone a great number of changes in recent years.
The world of work continues to change and this fund and these projects help unions to keep pace with these advancements and where appropriate lead them for the benefit of their members. Some of the projects will specifically look at how unions can assist disadvantaged workers, gender equality and vulnerable workers.
Announcing the winning projects, Gerry Sutcliffe said:
“The Union Modernisation Fund is designed to help British trade unions continue to meet the needs of their members by helping them to keep pace with the changes that have taken place in workplaces in the last decade. This fund helps to ensure that unions remain an integral part of the UK economy making an effective contribution to constructive employment relations.
“Unions are important for both individuals and companies alike. Good unions work with employers to help their members manage any difficulties they may have with their working lives. Unionised workplaces have fewer accidents, narrower pay gaps and better vocational training.
“ Efficient workplaces are a vital part of our thriving economy. Unions - just like businesses - need targeted support to keep pace with the rapidly changing economy and employment landscape.
“I would like to praise the standard of all applications to the fund. We are awarding funds to the most innovative and forward-thinking plans aimed at ensuring that trade unions remain relevant to their seven million members.”
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
"This welcome support will help unions provide a quality service in the modern world of work to the benefit of their members, employers and the wider economy. This fund demonstrates the wide recognition of the importance of unions in the modern workplace. British business gets direct public spending support every year."
Notes for Editors
1. Total commitments for these projects is around £3 million. Details of winning bids can be found below.
2. Union modernisation initiatives have been selected by a sevenmember independent Supervisory Board following bids which were assessed on the following criteria:-
- modernisation strategies based on building relationshipswith employers;
- enabling unions to broaden their dialogue with members by greater use of the internet and other new technologies.
- a diverse selction of themes, ranging from improving communications with members, to preparing lay representatives for their new role under Information and Consultation regulations; and
- reviewing internal union structures and organisation and support more efficient management systems within unions.
The Fund, created by the Employment Relations Act 2004, will not be used for: the day-to-day work of unions; supporting recruitment drives; advancing a union's position in collective bargaining or trade disputes; or representing individuals in disputes with a particular employer.
Annex
Union Modernisation Fund Winning Initiatives
T&G
The T&G proposes to establish a Migrant Workers Support Unit offering services such as translation, advice on employment rights, and signposting to community support services. The Unit would also build links with other support services such as the CAB, Polish Workers Association, etc. The project will be a pilot, focusing on sectors and locations most affected by the Gangmasters Licensing Act 2004.
Amicus
The pilot project seeks to improve the communication efficiency of branch secretaries and enhance engagement and participation of lay branch members.
Equity
Project to create and pilot online talent directories allowing Equity members to market themselves directly to prospective employers.
Usdaw
Usdaw proposes to draw on the expertise of the Said Business School, Oxford University and the Work Foundation to develop and test a best practice management model. The model will include mechanisms and management tools for evaluating the operational performance of the union as a whole, linked to the appraisal of individual staff.
Communication Workers Union (CWU)
Project to pilot new communications methods in a number of the union’s regions. A bottom-up approach to improving union communications and democracy across the whole organisation.
United Road Transport Union (URTU)
A project with two distinct elements. First, training for senior staff in management skills and on the specific challenges facing the logistics sector - in particular focusing on Information and Consultation and the Working Time Directive. Second, expanding the website and linking remote offices to a central IT system.
BFAWU
Project to research the needs and attitudes of workers for whom English is a foreign language. Project will also entail diversity awareness training for staff and members.
Prospect
Establishment of electronic document management and distribution systems accompanied by a change management programme to train staff in new work processes to increase the efficiency of information management and sharing.
GMB
A project to impliment the findings of the recent race equality audit. The project will develop a membership strategy to encourage greater participation of black and minority ethnic members and provide diversity training for all GMB staff.
RMT
New web-based membership system which will collect membership information and improve accuracy of records.
Wales TUC
The Wales TUC plans to promote awareness of equality issues in partnership with organisations including Age Concern, DRC, CRE and EOC. Research will be carried out on the needs of disadvantaged workers, an awareness drive will promote the new discrimination legislation in 2500 workplaces, union
equality reps and equality officers will receive diversity training and a network for equality bodies and union officers to share best practice will be established.
Royal College of Midwives (RCM)
Integration of the union's website with an improved membership database to allow the collection and use of membership information in targeted communications.
T&G
Project to develop guidance and support for workplace union equality reps, to be piloted in partnership with employers in workplaces across a range of sectors.
Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA)
Project to encourage greater diversity and engagement in the TSSA's membership.
ASLEF
Aslef's new website will be expanded to develop additional areas for members, branch secretaries and reps.
General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU)
The development of new training courses in employment rights and I&C for members and affiliate organisations.
Community
A programme of training for the senior staff of the Community union in globalisation and labour market trends, culture change, organisational strategy, and managing finances and human resources.
Connect
Creation of an online knowledge management system which will act as a one-stop-shop for information and advice, with different levels of access for members, reps and staff.
NUT
Project to establish a new section of the union's website for lay representatives, providing them with information and resources tailored to their needs, as well as opportunities to exchange information and experience.
TUC
Development and testing of an online support system for union professionals in TUC affiliates, providing targeted advice and information to members and specialists (finance, legal, education officers, etc). The system will support the sharing of best practice through online discussion forums and consultation.
NUJ
Pilot project to establish, organise and train a network of equality reps and to raise awareness of equality issues throughout the union.
Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
Building the union's capacity to work in partnership with employers by identifying and training regional champions, holding regional training events for members around Agenda for Change and a conference in partnership with employers.
Retained Firefighters Union
In collaboration with Anglia University, the RFU proposes to create an online communication system and database of union resources.
Union of Finance Staff (UFS)
Project to introduce a new interactive web-based membership database and communications system for members and reps.
T&G
A series of training seminars for members on I&C including the production of new guidance materials.
British Dental Association
Research to examine young members' attitudes towards the association in order to ensure that their needs are being reflected, in particular the growing numbers of younger women entering the profession from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Portman Group Staff Association
Training programme for all representatives to enable them to effectively represent staff at formal hearings. Training to include modules on understanding the organisation's business strategy in order to improve the union's ability to consult with employers on major business change. Also envisaged is a review of the role of employee representaives and a series of workshops with the employer to identify means of moving towards fuller partnership working, building upon the recently agreed recognition agreement which incorporates new I&C arrangements.
Lloyds TSB Group Union
A new internet package to increase and improve the level of communication with, and consultation of members.
BFAWU
Research into the communications needs of members, particularly those for whom English is not the first language. Community and Youth Workers Unions (CYWU) Research project to build an evidence base of the priorities and expectations of CYWU membership ahead of merger with the TGWU.
Community and District Nursing Association (CDNA)
Project to develop an interactive website with integrated membership administration functions responding to the peripatetic and geographically dispersed nature of the CDNA's membership.
Nationwide Group Staff Union (NGSU)
Upgrading the union's website to inform and add value to NGSU reps' roles in taking forward the new I&C arrangements recently agreed with the employer.
West Bromwich Building Society Staff Union
Development of a new website to be integrated with the membership database. The site would be used for improved access to reps, discussion forums, bulletin boards and surveys. The website would also contain an area for all WBBS staff, whether members or nonmembers, which will be used for information and consultation, building on the pre-existing agreement concluded with the employer.