TUC Education pathway for union reps
Please remember to inform your local ULR or a member of the ULF Project Team if you undertake any of these courses.
1 - Union Reps Stage 1
60-70 hours of guided learning delivered over 6 months
15 credits at level 1; 18 credits at level 2
TUC Union Reps Stage 1 is your starting point course. Find out what it means to be a union rep, how union democracy works, how to represent your members effectively, how to work in teams and how to take up both collective and individual issues with your employer. You will also think about the future and how to influence where it is taking you and those you represent.
The course helps union reps to understand their role and responsibilities as a rep. They include working together with members and other union reps; talking to members and dealing with their problems; recruiting members and getting them involved in the union; meeting management to discuss a range of issues at work and keeping members informed about wider union concerns.
What will the course help me to do?
This course will help you:
* understand the role of the union rep in the workplace and the wider union
* use and make agreements
* represent members in discussions with employers
* understand how grievances and disciplinaries are handled
* understand rights at work
* build confidence in your role and responsibilities as a union rep
* develop the skills you need to be an effective rep
How do I apply?
If you are interested in applying for this course, please see http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/education/learn-332-f0.cfm
2 - Stepping Up
60-72 hours of guided learning delivered over 6 months
18 credits at level 2; 21 credits at level 3
Stepping Up is the TUC Stage 2 course for union reps. There are five modules. The Trade Union Context will help you fully understand where you are in relation to your union and employer. Planning, Organising and Campaigning does what it says on the tin. Rights at Work and Collective Bargaining will help you become a more effective negotiator. Leading on the Collective Agenda addresses reps' roles as key decision-makers.
Stepping Up builds on your existing knowledge and experience by closely examining the role of representatives in changing work environments; taking and in depth look at employment law, equality, discrimination and bargaining issues. Students are required to complete a project of their choice linked to the work place or a trade union issue.
What will the course help me to do?
This course will help you:
* build understanding of effective representation and participation
* build confidence in using rights at work
* broaden knowledge of collective bargaining methods
* prepare for progression to advanced work on union issues
How do I apply?
If you are interested in applying for this course, please see http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/education/learn-2986-f0.cfm
3 - Short specialist courses
Two- or three-day short courses help you keep up-to-date with changes in the law, the economy or industrial relations practice. Coping with Economic Downturn, and Unions and Apprenticeships are current examples.
4 - Employment Law Diploma
The Employment Law Diploma is a 36-week grounding in the law relating to employment and work. You will learn about collective and individual law, the pressures and influences there are and how it all affects your workplace and the people you represent. You will also develop the skills and knowledge that will help you progress to higher level learning.
5 - Progression
The Activist Academy and the Organising Academy are progressive routes within the TUC programme. Beyond the TUC programme, union reps go on to higher education through university degree programmes.