Workplace Organisers Toolkit 2012.pdf - GMB

SECTION 2.2A GMB WORKPLACE ORGANISERS CHECKLIST FOR EFFECTIVEORGANISATIONYour plans to build the strongest possible union where you work should be based on the following fiveWorkplace Organising goals:1.GMB CampaignsMembers and potential members need to know what GMB stands for where they work.Instead ofwaiting for management to propose changes and then responding,GMB members at work should havetheir own agenda,always keeping the employer on the back foot responding to our members’claims.GMB Reps must involve all members in decisions that affect them,giving members a vote on every issuewe can and asking them to get involved in their union in any way they can.2.GMB CommunicationsPotential members should be aware GMB exists and is active where they work.GMB members mustmake sure everyone in the workplace knows what we are campaigning for and how to get involved.Wherever possible workplaces should adopt their own regular newsletter to keep members informedand involved,to use as a tool for bringing new members in and to deliver better,more local informationmore quickly.3.GMB ContactPotential members should not only know how to join but should be approached regularly by a GMBmember at work,told about GMB and asked to join.GMB Representatives in each workplace should knowwho is starting and who is leaving the job,who is a member and who is not and use this information totalk to potential members in their area regularly about the unions’work.This Workplace Mapping is acentral part of the Workplace Organisers role.4.GMB CredibilityIt should be made clear to potential members how GMB can be a solution to the problems they face atwork.Our credibility at work depends on the strength of our organisation and the skills of ourWorkplace Organisers to find ways to include members in gaining improvements on local issues andbuilding the union in the workplace.Credibility also depends on being honest with our members and trusting them to make the rightdecisions together.Members must be involved in setting GMB’s agenda in each and every workplace andthey must know where to go and who to contact if they need help,advice or representation in theirworkplace.5.GMB CommitmentEveryone at work should see GMB as being a part of the workplace and in it for the long term.We shouldavoid here today gone tomorrow‘recruitment drives’and make a long term commitment to buildingthe union in every workplace around the real issues people at each workplace face.You have already demonstrated your Commitment to build GMB where you work by coming forward tobe a GMB Workplace Organiser and you should make sure everyone at work knows the union isconfident,optimistic and a permanent part of the furniture in your workplace.Some techniques for achieving the five organising goals are set out in more detail in the next section.