Branch Organising And Recruitment Officer

My name is Tracey Sparkes and I am on a years secondment at Essex County Branch of UNISON as the Branch Organising and Recruitment Officer.

This is a new post, so I needed to set out some aims which I have started to achieve (slowly!!). Some are a bit ambitious in a year (like visiting every school in the County) and recent events in the County Council have meant that I have to put some of my ideas on hold. Basically, my main aims are to organise and recruit (and retain) members and also to educate members and non-members on what unions do and how vitally important it is for them to belong to one.

Some people still see unions as "striking at the drop of a hat". This is no longer the case as a clear majority of members now have to vote to take this form of industrial action. No one likes to strike and loose a days pay, but sometimes it just has to be done to fight injustice after all other means have failed.

Most people join for protection at work. Staff who work with the public and children are especially vulnerable and need the protection of a strong union behind them should things go wrong or an accusation is made.

UNISON does so much more than just protect you at work though, we campaign nationally and locally to protect our members and public services and improve safety in the workplace.

If you use just some of the membership services we offer like cheaper mortgages, insurance, learning discounts, holidays to name just a very small selection, then you can save your subscriptions many times over!

As I said earlier, I am currently looking to visit as many schools as I can to update staff on the New Negotiating Framework which will be coming into all schools (not acadamies) next year. Please get in touch with me if you would like me to visit your school.

Below are just some of my objectives:-

• Identify and secure one key contact within in each School Visited
  
• Raise awareness of UNISON to non-members
  
• Keep current members and reps engaged and updated
  
• Recruit new members
  
• At the completion of a recruitment event it is hoped that not only have we raised the profile of UNISON but increase recruitment of new members and stewards.
  
• Encourage steward/reps to undergo relevant training
  
• Plan to reach “all” staff in schools
  
• Distribute UNISON materials
  
• Mail shots to potential members
  
• Obtain slots in services’ inductions ie main County Council Induction, Fire Service, Social Care etc
  
• Encourage members to participate in local/regional/national events and campaigns and seek their views through surveys/questionnaires/meetings etc
  
• Support and mentor new and existing stewards
  
• Regular reports in Branch Newsletter (Outlook) of activities and progress
  
• Revamp and maintain Branch Website
  
• Report my activities to the Branch Committee
  
• Develop “frequently asked questions” on the Branch Website
  
• Design UNISON Recruitment Posters as and when required
  
• Identify target recruitment areas (including non ECC areas)
• Encourage activists to participate in becoming involved in the wider union, at regional or national level.
• Ensure the Branch Development Plan is carried out wherever possible.
  

Please do not hestitate to contact me if you would like any information on UNISON or would like me to come to your establishment to talk to members or non-members.

Also, if you are having a staff event and would like a UNISON stall set up, please let me know.

I can be contacted via the Branch Office on 01245 354044, or by Blackberry on 07908 142814 or email Tracey