Richard Saundry Professor in HRM and Employment Relations Studies Louise Chinnery Unison Supporting new stewards and growing the activist base

Background to the Research Research aimed to examine: –experiences of new activists –challenges they faced in developing their role –identify steps to maximise effectiveness of new reps Method –Sample – 205 new reps recruited in first two waves of fighting fund projects – and/or epostal survey sent to whole sample (plus reminder) - 45 responses (22%) –28 face to face and telephone interviews

Pragmatic or principled? Most respondents driven by desire to help colleagues rather than broader political convictions “I do feel really quite strongly about making things better for people that I work with” A number had reluctantly stepped into the role “Firstly I felt it was important that my workplace had one. Secondly, I was doubtful that anyone else would step into the role and thirdly, I do believe very much in the importance of trade unions” Only a small minority had close links with the wider labour movement “… my granddad was quite an involved union member when he was younger … and my dad is a bit of a socialist …”

Having a positive impact Almost all those interviewed believed that they had made a positive impact “I know from passing out information myself, and asking new members of staff and telling them what is going on and what it means to be in a union and why, you know, what the benefits are of that, I have had a few more members” “I have made a difference. I have saved people’s jobs. It’s quite a nice feeling” “I’ve been to so many different grievances and sickness reviews…I’ve even been in to appeal where I’ve had to sit in front of some of the directors of the Trust in a panel and put a case forward”

Doubts and confidence A number of respondents lacked confidence and belief in their ability to effectively represent members “I've had two difficult cases to try and help people through…neither of them I feel have gone terribly successfully. So I really would have liked to have been able to just speak about those cases to somebody to see if I'm doing the right thing…Because I've doubted whether I'm the right person to be a rep at the end of the day. I said something I shouldn't have said in the meeting and I regretted it instantly... It completely knocked my confidence and I thought why am I doing this?”

Key Barriers Mentoring and support “I was thrown in at the deep end and there’s not many reps that’s actually on the floor representing, so it was a case of “well there isn’t anyone to come with you…I think the first few representations that you do, maybe first, second stage, I think you need a bit more support, just to build up your confidence” Networks “It’s been really hard because I was really excited when I first started…[But] because I’ve not met anybody or anything like I’ve started to feel a bit … I don’t know, just … isolated” Branch Relationships “I work nights [and] I’ve got a family, so it’s just getting to the meetings that I find the most challenging … because they’re out of my town as well, they’re not where I live.”

Conclusions New reps are having a positive impact Some reps are growing into their role and developing experience and confidence Others are more vulnerable and isolated

Questions What role do we want/need our activists to play to build a strong union locally? What practical things can we do to support new activists, taking into account the challenges we are facing at branch level? What support do you need to effectively develop new activists to become confident and active?