'Heart Unions’ week launched to celebrate the work of trade unions

'Heart Unions’ week

Trade Unions in Greater Manchester, and the rest of the UK, will start a week of action and celebration today (Monday 8 February) to celebrate the work they do in workplaces and communities.

The week, called ‘Heart Unions’ week, will promote the positive work and role of trade unions in workplaces and in the wider community.

Co-ordinated by the TUC, the week will see a series of events, activities and meetings taking place to get the message out, encourage membership and promote the campaign against the government’s Trade Union Bill, which is awaiting its third reading in the House of Lords.

Across the North West, unions will host big workplace meetings, watching a live broadcast at lunchtime featuring TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady and comedian Eddie Izzard.

Friday sees the Regional Union Learn Conference, in Southport, which will celebrate the work done in learning by unions across the region.

More than 2,000 union learning representatives across the region are responsible for providing improvements in education in the workplace, ranging from maths and English, to IT skills and improving qualifications that upskill workers.

Lynn Collins, North West TUC Regional Secretary, said: “We want the public to know the whole story about trades unions, the work they do in workplaces improving standards, ensuring fairness and building better businesses, but also their wider work in society and supporting their members.

"Throughout the week we will be telling the stories of those supported by their union, and asking workers in the North West to love unions and join unions.”

Alongside this, unions will be raising awareness of the "damaging impact" of the Trade Union Bill. On Saturday 6 February and Saturday 13, unions will be leafleting at Liverpool FC and FC United of Manchester matches to raise awareness of aspects of the bill that will impact on trade union campaigns relating to football.

Lynn Collins, North West TUC, Regional Secretary said: “Trade Unions are more than just workplace organisations. The Trade Union Bill will have a damaging effect to the wider work we do.

"If the Bill passes, trade union funding for campaigns will be affected and our worry is that it will have an impact on this wider work we do.”

The Trade Union Bill campaign continues for unions after many Lords spoke out against elements of it during the second reading. The North West TUC says that given trade unionists are trusted twice as much by the general public than politicians (IPSOS Mori), then changes they are calling for such as e-balloting and protecting facilities for trade union representatives should be implemented.

Latest figures from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) figures show trade union membership in Greater Manchester remains strong, with 30.9% of workers members of trade unions.

http://www.heartunions.org