Identifying new ways that trade unions can appeal to new members, particularly young people and women, is one of the subjects up for discussion at Organise 2000 next weekend (Saturday 18th).
London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, is the key speaker at the event that will look at how trade unions can make the most of recent changes in employment law to organise and recruit in new workplaces and from new workforce areas.
New rights at work and changes in the economy offer new opportunities for trade unions to recruit and organise, but they also bring potential problems.
Employees now have the right to be represented by a trade union. Where the majority of employees want it, they are entitled to have their employer recognise a trade union.
Unions have to work out the best ways to work together to maximise membership, rather than competing with each other. They must also be prepared for resistance from hostile employers.
The conference will also discuss:
- How effective the new recognition laws have been and how unions can make better use of them
- The obstacles to recognition that employers have used
- How unions can make better use of new technology for recruitment
Other speakers include:
- Larry Gold AFL-CIO;
- Brendan Barber Deputy General Secretary TUC;
- Barry Camfield T&G;
- Tracey Dalling UNISON;
- Leslie Manasseh Connect;
- Rachael Maskell MSF;
- Jeremy Dear NUJ;
- Alan Pottage ISTC;
- Frances O'Grady Head of Organisation TUC;
- Paul Nowak Northern TUC Regional Secretary;
- Sarah Veale TUC Senior Employment Rights Officer.
The event takes place on Saturday 18 November from 10:00am-1:30pm at TUC Congress House, Great Russell Street, London.
