tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544395194200855084.post8972565861785606116..comments2023-10-26T04:08:48.599-07:00Comments on Ian Manborde: The Union AdvantageIan Manbordehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640451256160859280noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544395194200855084.post-29356388249882527942009-12-06T09:57:52.536-08:002009-12-06T09:57:52.536-08:00I take the position of the first person to respond...I take the position of the first person to respond to this question.<br /><br />Why, when the movement faces steady decline, does the TUC not simply state that trade union membership must be seen as a wider, political statement that places a strong emphasis on state ownership of key services e.g. royal mail, support for environmentally friendly renewable energies etc?<br /><br />This narrow focus on, for example, a partnership with employers on learning and skills does not solidly place us in a strong, indepedent position - free from employer 'partnership' and free from New Labour interference.<br /><br />There is nothing wrong in the core message of the TUC's new document but it becomes redundant if it is not based on a strategy to secure the long-term, sustainable future of the trade union movement.ShopSteward85https://www.blogger.com/profile/12186564414445008918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544395194200855084.post-67358426022384861942009-12-06T09:49:51.578-08:002009-12-06T09:49:51.578-08:00Hi Andrew,
Many thanks for the input.
I suppose ...Hi Andrew,<br /><br />Many thanks for the input.<br /><br />I suppose a mixture of the two, as you suggest, is the right approach, particularly if you can relate the political nature of your approach to a specific workplace context.<br /><br />I also agree that for many members trade union memnbership is simply seen as a form of insurance which, despite our own political interests, is sufficient at least to get them into membership - at least we can, on a longer-term basis, attempt to engage these workers in other debates.<br /><br />Thanks again Andrew - please keep feeding your thoughts into the blog.<br /><br />IanIan Manbordehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09640451256160859280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544395194200855084.post-21532949660989520502009-12-05T04:18:37.175-08:002009-12-05T04:18:37.175-08:00Hi Ian,
I sort of agree with what has been said b...Hi Ian,<br /><br />I sort of agree with what has been said by Jas and Peter. What I find is that those who recognise the political reality of the employment relationship do not even have to be recruited - they will approach you on day one for an application form. However, they seem in a minority. Many of the others see it as some form of insurance policy should anything happen, so I think there is some recognition from them about the true nature of the employment relationship.<br /><br />I think Peter is right that many are put off by an explicitly political message and I wish there was some way round this. I do try and make the political links explicit though when I talk to members or represent them.<br /><br />Best Wishes<br /><br />AndrewAndrew Mayburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01290790958394574876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544395194200855084.post-33939166486778425542009-12-04T08:47:11.804-08:002009-12-04T08:47:11.804-08:00Hi Ian,
I agree with the last colleague's com...Hi Ian,<br /><br />I agree with the last colleague's comments at a personal level but find that too many members are put off by any mention of politics.<br /><br />In relation to the TUC report I particularly liked section 6 where it talked about vulnerable workers - and spoke more broadly about how jusy about everyone (no MPs though eh!) are vulnerable in some way and that unions can be key to reducing exploitation and limiting the degree of overall unemployment vulnerability.<br /><br />As we blunder on through the recession this is dead important.<br /><br />I see today that Corus are closing down a steel plant and I know that there union is big on redundancy support for members - so theres a good example of union support for workers despite the employer's decision to dump them after god knows how many years of service - I bet if you add it all up it runs to centuries worth of contributions to millions of pounds of profit!<br /><br />Anyway hope to see you soon if not have agood Xmas and see you on a course in the new year.<br /><br />Peter EPete Edenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14898423836563714558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544395194200855084.post-36319479840171456102009-12-04T06:37:54.303-08:002009-12-04T06:37:54.303-08:00Ian,
All of the usual stuff is in the report but ...Ian,<br /><br />All of the usual stuff is in the report but as this it's a TUC document it ignore the big political stuff like being part of the big fight against poverty, anti-union bosses etc.<br /><br />What's wrong with saying that workers should be in a union for political reasons as well as personal - and I'm sure someone has said the personal is the politcal anyway!<br /><br />I would also add that for me union membership is about the creative solution to tackling the breakdown in social and community bounds.<br /><br />The legacy of Thatcherism is the destruction of these kind of ties whether they are workplace or social and union membership should proudly proclaim a willingness to be part of that renewal.<br /><br />Thats what I think anyway.<br /><br />JasJashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06300948930856608656noreply@blogger.com