Experienced Stewards Course

This course has been designed for UNISON stewards and branch officers who are a little more experienced in organising in the workplace; representing and negotiating on behave of members. As a steward you are a vital link in the union chain and have an important role to play in organising members at local level, but you need to be up to date with the law and UNISON policy

UNISON’s ability to support and represent its members with their employer is very much dependent upon the strength of membership organisation. The union is more likely to be get good results where it has strong membership organisation. Strong membership organisation is based on sound organising principles:

• working collectively - “ what can we do about it together?” not “ leave it with me and I’ll sort it out”
• listening to members views
• knowing where our members are
• members actively involved
• high membership density
• strong steward organisation
• support for stewards and workplace representatives
• supporting members in resolving individual problems
• promoting democracy and membership participation

This course will help you to understand the steward’s role in organising and representing members at local level and help you to feel confident in carrying out your duties as a steward.

Aims
The course aims to develop your skills, knowledge and confidence to enable you to carry out the role of an experienced steward in UNISON, including to

• understand the role of an organising union in public services
• recognise the importance of equalities in UNISON
• work with members to tackle issues in the workplace and negotiate collective agreements
• work with members in resolving cases, and represent members in difficult cases
• Understand employment law and know where and when to seek advice and guidance
• be certified as competent to accompany members at a disciplinary and grievance hearing in order to comply with Employment Relations Act 1999 (or renew your registration)
• understand the importance of developing and taking part in support networks for other less experienced reps in the branch

You will be expected to complete

• a piece of written work setting out how you intend to use your learning within your UNISON activities
• a practical organising initiative in the branch
   

Dates and locations in 2011

The course takes place over 10 days

In Manchester and Liverpool the course is formatted as 2 x 5 day study blocks with a couple of months in-between

• January 24-28 and March 7-11 in Manchester
• October 10-14  and December 5-9 in Liverpool

Dates and Locations in 2012

• February 27-March 2 and March 26-30 in Manchester

Click here to download an application form – ask your branch education coordinator to authorise your application and return the completed form to Arena Point

Or

Click here to express an interest now, in one of the modules, on line.