Advanced Short Course Organising Programme 2008/09

Union growth continues to be at the forefront of discussions around the movement in the UK and especially in light of the 10th anniversary of the academy.  We are pleased to run for another year our advanced programme with a range of courses that comprehensively cover the organising challenges we face today.

Training for union officers is an essential part of any union’s activity and we recognise that there are a wide variety of skills needs for officers today. 

This programme is developed to enhance union organising strategies and to provide advanced skills to experienced union organisers and officers as well as staff developing their skills. It is recommended that new officers attend the 16 day core programme.

The courses also form part of the advanced year TUC Organising Academy Trainee and Diploma Programmes.
 
These courses will be advertised on the TUC Website in addition to this programme and specific dates and locations can be found at www.tuc.org.uk/organisation

All of our courses are provided free of charge and accredited by the Open College Network.

For more information about the courses, funding and costs, or to arrange for courses to be delivered in-house for your union, please contact Liz Blackshaw, Director TUC Orgainsing Academy details below:

Download an application form for all courses from: http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/AcademyApplicationForm.doc

NEW  - ORGANISING USING NEW TECHNOLOGY, 19/20 November 08, London
This 2 day course has been updated and is being re-launched in 2008/9.  It will provide union organisers and officers with skills to improve their use of technology when organizing.  It will examine how to exploit the opportunities of the internet, social networking and mobile media as well as assessing the merits of on-line organising in case study situations.

The course aims will be to:

• Develop understanding and evaluate the aims of the organising approach
• Assess current use of technology in organising
• Identify the potential for new technology in organising
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of on-line organising
• Develop a campaign plan using new technology

NEW  - ORGANISING NEGOTIATIONS, 3/4 June 09, London
This course is being piloted in 2008.  The course aims are to further develop the relationship between the collective bargaining agenda and organising.  It will examine how to build in organising techniques throughout collective bargaining and negotiations, to understand the principles of the Organising cycle and how it can be used to maximise leverage at key points in negotiations.

The course aims will be to:

• Develop understanding and evaluate the aims of the organising approach
• Analyse campaigning frameworks and organising issues
• Evaluate the use of escalating actions from members and activists
• Analyse existing negotiations systems and evaluate effectiveness
• To develop a campaign strategy to increase collective bargaining leverage

 
TRAINING SKILLS FOR ORGANISERS, 24/25/26 September 08, London

This course provides training skills to organisers, and all union officers involved in providing formal and informal training and feedback to activists and colleagues. The course aims ensure all participants increase their knowledge and understanding of adult training in addition to developing practical techniques and skills including:

• being able to understand the underlying principles of adult education
• identifying your own learning and training styles
• recognising different learning styles
• utilising a variety of training methods

STRATEGIC ORGANISING & CAMPAIGNING, 10/11/12 March 09, London

This is a two-day course suitable for union staff responsible for building and developing workplace organising activity and supporting union campaigns.

The basic premise of the course is that Organising and Campaigning are processes and actions that support each other and should not be seen as separate.  Through effective combination of these processes we can recruit new members and encourage them, along with existing members to play an active part in the campaign and the life of the union.

The aims of this course are:

• Be able to produce a strategic campaign plan
• Recognise the significance of identifying and using workplace issues to establish organising activity
• Understand the use of different communication techniques for successful organising
• Recognise the value of research to campaign planning
• Understand the use of evaluation in union organising campaigns

BUSTING THE BUSTERS, 5/6 May 09, London

This course is essential to all those involved in union organising irrespective of the existence of recognition.  (A common mis-conception is a union recognition agreement means the employer isn’t hostile!)  This course aims to ensure all organisers are equipped with the tools necessary to critically analyse the target employer and to make sure that the all those involved in the campaign understand the aims and objectives.

The outcomes of the course are to:

• develop an understanding of “Union Busters” using practical examples
• increase awareness of employer responses to organising and analyse frequently used tactics
• evaluate methods to prepare workers for the employer response
• analyse the legislative framework around statutory recognition in the UK
• develop strategies for overcoming employer hostility

ORGANISING BEYOND RECOGNITION, 20/21 January 09, London
A two-day course focusing on the need to build sustainable union structures in workplaces where there is already recognition.  The course looks at building union strength through demonstrating union effectiveness and involving members, employer relationships and ensuring facilities agreements support the development of the union.  Subjects covered in the course include:

• Analysing routes to recognition and their impact on the post recognition organising environment
• Relationships with employers including Bargaining Relationships
• Defining a ‘healthy’ relationship
• Facilities Agreements
• Building Local Structures and Mobilising Activists

“WHY ORGANISE?”
Union Organising is all about increasing the profile, strength and effectiveness of trade unions where it matters most – in the workplace!   This is an ideal course to run in-house for groups of union staff at any level of the organisation.

This course looks at how to get workers not just to join but how to play an important part in how the union works.  This introductory course could be beneficial to union staff wishing to increase their understanding of the organising approach and to establish the integration of organising into their work.

The course aims to:

• Understand and review union organisation and, recruitment and retention practices and identify improvements
• Practice interviewing and recruitment skills
• Become familiar with employment information and resources and how they can be used
• Develop communication and networking skills

Organising and CAC Recognition, 1/2 April 09, London

This new course is an opportunity for organisers, full time officers and other industrial roles to consider the opportunities and challenges that recognition provides unions and to look at the merits of statutory recognition and . 

With the continued need to organise new workers and extend our collective bargaining coverage into new areas, this course focuses on how to meet and capitalise on the statutory recognition process covering:

• Consideration of the merits of union organising and the statutory recognition process
• Understanding the legislative framework including qualifying critera
• The purpose and role of the Central Arbitration Committee
• Analysing of case study recognition campaigns and unfair labour practices
• Developing a strategic approach to union growth through recognition

Organising Academy Director: Liz Blackshaw O207 467 1361 or 07738988836 email lblackshaw@tuc.org.uk, www/tuc.org.uk/organisation