New Stewards Course
This course has been designed for newly elected and less experienced UNISON stewards organising in the workplace. 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.
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 a 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
• work with members in resolving cases
• know where and when to seek advice and guidance
• understand how procedures work in practice
• handle grievance and disciplinary and similar types of cases as the representative of UNISON members within your workplace
• be certified as competent to accompany members at a disciplinary and grievance hearing in order to comply with Employment Relations Act 1999
• understand the broader roles in which UNISON operates, including internationally.
The course takes place over 5 days - one day a week, beginning on the following dates:
Dates and locations in 2012
- January 31 Manchester
- February 1 Liverpool
- February 2 Preston
- February 28 Manchester
- February 29 Liverpool
- April 17 Manchester
- April 18 Liverpool
- April 19 Preston
- June 6 CHESHIRE - location to follow
- June 7 Manchester
- June 12 Liverpool
- June 14 Kendal
- September 11 Manchester
- September 11 CHESHIRE - location to follow
- September 12 Manchester
- September 13 Manchester
- September 13 Liverpool
- October 2 Workington
- November 6 Manchester
- November 7 Liverpool
- November 8 Preston
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.