Working people today are struggling. Families have suffered during the longest economic crisis in living memory. They’ve been battered by the ravages of austerity. Living standards have faced an unprecedented squeeze – wages have fallen behind inflation for 37 out of 38 months since the coalition has been in power. We might be starting to see a fledgling recovery. But this is not feeding through to the wage packets of ordinary workers.
Now, more than ever, having strong, active and campaigning trade unions is vital to protect working people. It’s during tough times like these that you see the difference we can make: pushing for decent pay; fighting to protect jobs; helping those who have been hardest hit over these difficult years.
Community is a union deeply rooted in the best traditions of the labour movement. The forerunner of this union – the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation – was one of the founders of the Trade Union Congress over 100 years ago. We are hugely proud of our industrial heritage.
But we recognise too that the world has changed. In order to support our members effectively, unions too must change. We’re a modern and forward-looking union that is attuned to the changes in the economy and the labour market. Our membership is changing – and growing. While retaining a strong base in iron and steel, we now represent many other workers, including disabled employees, and staff in the service, voluntary and postal sectors.
We commissioned a report – produced by the IPA – to demonstrate how Community makes a real difference for our members. It highlights three key elements of our unique approach; partnership working, a community focus, and a commitment to skills and training.
Partnership is absolutely central to our approach. I’ve always believed the force of argument is more effective in delivering for members than the argument of force. Without a successful and profitable employer, we can’t deliver job security and we can’t deliver lasting improvements in terms and conditions. The union-employer relationship is not a zero-sum game – both gain from working together for the sustainable success of the organisation.
The employers we work with will tell you that we add value to their organisation. Inevitably there will sometimes be frank discussions and differences of approach, but by giving people a voice, we benefit both employees and the employer.
Needless to say, our partnership approach does not make us a pushover. Where employers are not willing to play ball, and where they exploit our members, we take a stand.
Second, the clue’s in the name – our community focus matters to us. The issues that affect our members do not stop at the factory gates. The union movement grew out of the community; working people came together not just to fight for their rights, but to provide services and improve their local community for the benefit of all. We need to retain a focus on the wider community. By bringing our organising capacity to bear and campaigning together, we can build stronger communities in the face of this government’s ruinous policies of austerity.
Third, the idea of a ‘job for life’ is increasingly rare in the modern economy. Skills are becoming increasingly important and people will have to train and retrain to secure decent and sustainable employment. We know all too well from our experience in the steel industry. Unions must be at the forefront here – helping their members to access training and development opportunities and build lasting careers. We’ve put our money where our mouth is here, investing in Communitas which provides top quality training and support to our members and others.
The report features some great case studies of where we have worked in partnership with employers to deliver real benefits for our members and the workforce as a whole. When the former Tata Steel plant in Redcar was mothballed, we worked together with the local community to fight for its future. We helped secure new buyers who brought back thousands of good jobs to the local community. At RSBI, we worked closely with management to turn around a struggling factory for disabled workers, making it a model of successful and sustainable supported employment. In addition to protecting our traditional industries, the publication shows how we’ve been able to grow the union by building partnerships with new employers in different sectors. At TNT Post and Serco London Cycle Hire we’ve given members a voice, helped them secure their jobs and delivered real and tangible benefits for workers.
We’re proud of the report which we’ll be launching at an event at Labour party conference along with IPA and Progress. You can find out more and sign up here.
Ed Miliband has talked about building a ‘One Nation Economy’ which works for working people. Progressive trade unions – like Community – will be essential in making this a reality.
We embody the best traditions of the labour movement, but we are modern and fit for the future. We protect members in the workplace, but we also help build stronger communities. We prefer to deliver through partnership with employers, but if circumstances demand, we’re not afraid to fight – and win – for our members.
Michael Leahy is general secretary of Community www.community-tu.org @CommunityUnion
On Sunday, Michael will be speaking at:
One nation trade unionism: can employees win more by working in partnership with employers?
12.45pm, Sunday 22 September
Brighton Media Centre, 15-17 Middle St, Brighton BN1 1AL (just outside the secure zone)
Toby Perkins MP shadow small business minister
Michael J. Leahy OBE general secretary, Community
Nita Clarke chief executive, IPA
Maurice Glasman peer and Blue Labour founder
Chair: Sarah Veale head of equality and employment rights, TUC
Register your place for this event below.