Cynnig Cymraeg: Why we’re committed to communicating bilingually
Treating the Welsh and English languages equally is part of Wales TUC’s commitment to equality and diversity.
We recognise that the Welsh language was given official status by the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and we want everyone to be able to communicate with us in the language of their choice.
We want to be clear about which services you can expect to receive from us in Welsh. So we’re pleased to be one of only 55 organisations in Wales to receive the Welsh Language Commissioner’s commendation for our Cynnig Cymraeg (Welsh Offer).
Our Cynnig Cymraeg (Welsh Offer)
When communicating with Wales TUC you can expect to:
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Find that much of the Wales TUC website is bilingual
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Be able to speak to a member of staff wearing the Iaith Gwaith badge in Welsh
- Receive our e-newsletters bilingually
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Email or write to us in Welsh – we will respond in the same language
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See us using Welsh on social media and responding to your Welsh language comments in Welsh
In addition to our Cynnig Cymraeg you can also expect us to answer the phone bilingually.
We will endeavour to increase the bilingual communications we offer over the coming years.
Growing demand for bilingual communications
We expect more and more trade union members to want to communicate with us in Welsh in the coming years.
Currently, one in three people in Wales can speak Welsh. In December 2021 the official figure was 892,200 and this number is only set to increase further as the Welsh Government has a target of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
Not only is the number of Welsh speakers increasing, but the attitude towards the language is changing among Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers. According to research by the Welsh Language Commissioner, 86% of the population of Wales feel that the Welsh language is something to be proud of. And 94% of Welsh speakers feel that providing Welsh language services helps a company make a good impression.
An opportunity to recruit new trade union members
The ability to speak Welsh is heavily concentrated in younger age groups. According to the latest census in 2011, the highest density of Welsh speaking was among 10-14 year olds. This group will be today’s young workers – a key target audience for all unions.
So communicating bilingually is not only the right thing to do, it’s also a potentially powerful tool for trade unions to attract new, younger members.
At our Congress in May 2022 we discussed the need to increase Welsh language support for our trade union reps too.
Many workplaces operate through the medium of Welsh and many reps prefer to communicate with colleagues and managers about trade union business in Welsh. We therefore resolved to ensure that all TUC support materials for trade union reps working in Wales are made available, and promoted equally, in both English and Welsh.
Can we help your union to communicate more in Welsh?
We are committed to increasing Welsh language communications across the trade union movement, not just within Wales TUC. If you work for a union and you’d like to increase your use of the Welsh language please contact me on fdean@tuc.org.uk