Good afternoon

There are still spaces available for the following training event:

New Organising Steward Training - Face-to-face in Swansea Regional Office on

• 7^th June 2023
• 14^th June 2023
• 21^st June 2023
• 28 June 2023
• 5 July 2023

To register to attend, please log on to your MYUNISON account using the below link:

https://my.unison.org.uk/

Thanks.

Kind regards

Justine

Justine Perry 

Cymru Wales Activist Education Training

UNISON Cymru/Wales

02920 729413

New safety rep introductory courses for women and Black members 

We know from previous research that: 

• 91% of union safety reps are White
• 80% of union safety reps are men

Safety reps are the most powerful union rep role, but we know they’re not yet representative of our wider membership. We also know women and Black workers often face more risk at work.
 
Having spoken to Black and women reps and activists about their experiences of health and safety at work and in their unions (see research here and here), it was suggested that having a space to learn about the role, raise questions and concerns, and be heard with others with shared experiences, could be an effective way to encourage more members to step forward by creating networks and building confidence.
 
That is why we have organised four free, one-day, online introductory courses.
 
These are open to any member of a TUC affiliated union, but they must be a woman or Black member for each respective course.

Please share with any members whom you think may be interested, and existing reps who may wish to encourage and nuture the safety reps of tomorrow!

Women only
Thursday 23rd March
https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/introduction-role-health-and-safety-rep-women
 
Women only
Thursday 11th May
https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/introduction-role-health-and-safety-rep-women-0
 
Black members only
Tuesday 21st Mar
https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/introduction-role-health-and-safety-rep-black-workers
 
Black members only
Friday 12th May
https://www.tuc.org.uk/events/introduction-role-health-and-safety-rep-black-workers-0

Overview
This exciting new course is for anyone who might be considering becoming a trade union health and safety representative. You might be a union member without a role or be a different kind of rep in your branch.

Who is the course for?
If you’re motivated by the prospect of keeping yourself and your colleagues safe, and preventing workplace illness and injury, this course for you!
We are running these one-day introductory courses for Black / women members only in recognition that they are overwhelmingly underrepresented in these roles.
Sessions will be delivered online and are open to any member of a TUC-affiliated union from anywhere in Britain.

What will the course help me to do?
Consider it a taster course on what the role involves, the rights you have in law, and a chance to discuss the different health and safety issues in your workplace. The day will also be a chance to raise any questions you might have about becoming a health and safety rep.
We hope the course will make you have a better understanding of what a safety rep does, and why it’s such a vital role.
*Please note, this training will not qualify you as a safety rep; in most cases unions directly elect their representatives. 

This course will take place online.

Dear all

Further to our earlier communication. The Employment Law training that was taking place in Cardiff commencing the 21^stSeptember 2022 had to be cancelled due to insufficient interest.  However, there are still places available on the online Employment Law Training Course (details below), if you have any interested members please submit completed application forms by 4pm on Monday the 19^th September 2022.

Please find attached the Flyer and accompanying Application Form for all the upcoming Activist Education Training.

If you have any questions, please contact cwactivisttraining@unison.co.uk

Many thanks,

Rachel Price MCIPD

Regional Organiser

Lead of Education & Training

UNISON Cymru Wales

Tel: 029 2072 9413

Email: cymruwales@unison.co.uk

(Please note: I do not work Thursdays).

While it suits me to email you just now, I don’t expect a reply outside of your working hours​​.​​​​

​​​​

Application form in the link below.

Over 150,000 UNISON members work for private companies that deliver public services.

And every year UNISON runs a learning event so these members can meet each other and help develop the skills and confidence to deal with the particular issues in their workplace.

This year’s private contractors seminar takes place 9-10 November in Leicester. Discussions will focus on mental health at work, sick leave and sick pay, and health and safety.

The deadline for applications is on the 30 September. UNISON branches will cover all costs for members.

UNISON national officer Abby Kimantas says: “We’ve been running this learning event for a number of years, and it’s proving to be a really enjoyable weekend for members working in private companies that deliver public services.

“Whether you’re a hospital cleaner, care worker, administrator or work in a school kitchen, a lot of people face the same issues in different workplaces. It’s a great space to come together, share your experiences and learn how to improve your workplace.

“This year we’re particularly keen to see more registrations from women. Just over 70% of UNISON members are women, and the private contractors seminar is a great space to develop your skills as a union activist.”

Michelle Tymon, works as a domestic at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and has been attending the seminar for three years. She agrees: “When I first went three years ago, I was daunted and anxious about walking into a room of people I didn’t know.

“But everyone was so open and friendly and welcoming. We were all there to gain knowledge and experience, and I’ve ended up building a really good network of people across the country, and we all support each other throughout the year.”

“Most of all, it’s a fantastic learning opportunity. Some of the workshops that have been put on at the seminar have been really good – especially the one on collective bargaining. That’s really helped me with my job, and if I hadn’t started going to the seminar, I wouldn’t have ever known.

“It’s a space to gain knowledge and meet people just like you, who are there to learn something too.”

Chris Akalula, a security supervisor in London and rep for Serco has been attending the private contractors seminar for the past three years. “The seminar is an amazing place to meet people, exchange experiences and ideas and discuss the common issues we face,” he says.

“There are lots of people who work in the health sector there, and when you meet people who are working in similar jobs but for different employers, you realise that the problems you’re facing happen across the industry, and you can get advice on how to handle them and learn from others’ experiences and mistakes.”

“It’s an opportunity to relax, unwind, learn and connect. I had some of the best training I’ve had on negotiating, which was so practical, and really gave me the skills to lead successful pay negotiations.

“Everything UNISON warned me about played out, and thanks to the training I knew exactly how to handle it. It was astounding.

“The seminar is also a great space to hear more about topical issues like menopause, mental health, stress, sickness absence, pay grades,TUPE and employment law.

“These issues can be demotivating and divisive, but being able to discuss them together and have a voice is amazing.

“On top of this, the accommodation is world class, the food is beautiful and you come away from it feeling powerful.”

The deadline for applications is 30 September, remember your UNISON branch will cover the cost of your attendance, and you can apply here.

Free Part-Time Access Course from The Open University in Wales

Do you know learners who are ready to take the first steps into higher education?

To open up higher education, The Open University in Wales is offering a number of free places on the People, work and society Access course for people living in targeted postcode areas*  in Wales. This project is funded by the three Reaching Wider partnerships in Wales.

These courses are delivered part-time through distance learning, and are very flexible for learners.

After completing the Open University course, students will be able to either continue their studies with The Open University or will be guaranteed an interview at one of the partner institutions.

• Places for this project are limited so please pass the course information on to any learners who may want to apply as soon as possible.

•          Learners need to live in eligible postcode areas

• Those who aren’t eligible for this project, but are on a low household income may be able to secure other funding for study through The Open University

Apply now

Learners can find out if they are eligible, request more information and an application pack through this webform .

Sponsored places will fill up soon, the Access course starts in October 2018.

We are taking applications now!

Further information: wales-partnerships@open.ac.uk