Which TUC union?

darren poynton "towards a better understanding of the world, in order to change it"
Posts: 148 Joined: 05-07-06 Location: Norwich, UK
Submitted by darren poynton on 13 April, 2008 - 21:18.

Thinking of dual carding. I work in a book wholesalers / distributors. So its Unite or GMB or another? Which does the best training for reps?

the button "jesus christ, john, have you actually even read any marx?"
Posts: 5636 Joined: 07-07-04 Location: Lewisham, London
13 April, 2008 - 22:09

I've got no experience of the GMB, but Unite are still pretty much tied to the "service model" -- i.e. reps are there to pass members' concerns to the full-time apparatus. This said, if there are Unite members already there, I'd still join Unite.

Serge Forward
Posts: 1233 Joined: 14-01-04 Location: Leicester, East Midlands
17 April, 2008 - 21:26

If there's no established mainstream union there, what's the point in dual carding?

darren poynton "towards a better understanding of the world, in order to change it"
Posts: 148 Joined: 05-07-06 Location: Norwich, UK
18 April, 2008 - 12:21

Was thinking it might be worth it to get rep training. Or not?

ftony "crews are for boats"
Posts: 3618 Joined: 26-05-04 Location: East London
18 April, 2008 - 12:32

definitely worth it.

on another note, the recognised union at my work (UCU) is having its first general meeting for 16 months in a week or two. classic roll eyes wall

Stephen
Posts: 5 Joined: 25-02-05
11 May, 2008 - 07:52

Usdaw can also be the Union but if membership is low then why join
Some TUC courses are alright but others are poor
IWW runs good courses

ftony "crews are for boats"
Posts: 3618 Joined: 26-05-04 Location: East London
11 May, 2008 - 17:42

the few courses the IWW (in the UK) runs are good, but at the moment they're not regular enough, nor are they yet ready for being used as the sole source of one's training unless you plan to do a lot of reading, discussing and learning under your own steam

the button "jesus christ, john, have you actually even read any marx?"
Posts: 5636 Joined: 07-07-04 Location: Lewisham, London
11 May, 2008 - 18:29

The best bits of my rep training were the DIY bits anyway -- role plays around various workplace scenarios. No reason why one of two of those couldn't be incorporated into the normal running of a branch meeting, or maybe alternate "business meetings" and "branch education." I suppose you have to make a decision what's more necessary in the short term -- lots of your members knowing the basics, or a smaller number with more knowledge.