Recruitment and Retention of Activists

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Conference
2015 Local Government Service Group Conference
Date
20 February 2015
Decision
Carried as Amended

Conference condemns the large number of job losses in Local Government which are a result of the Tory led coalition cuts. Conference acknowledges the particular impact this has had on Local Government branches, the loss of members and often the loss of experienced activists. Conference is angry but recognises that these losses will continue for the foreseeable future.

Therefore, Conference fully understands the importance of recruiting new activists and ensuring the activists we have receive the support, training, and encouragement they need to enable them to fight against ongoing cuts to local government services, campaign for better pay, and represent members.

Conference knows that Branch Educational Co-ordinators have a key part to play in the recruitment and retention of Local Government activists, ensuring the development of activists who are confident and able to stand up for public services and those who provide them.

Conference calls upon the SGE to:-

1)Continue to promote the arguments for facility time for representatives which benefits employers as well as our members;

2)Encourage Regional Local Government Committees’ to enter into dialogue with employers at a regional level about the importance of activist training;

3)Liaise with UNISON Learning and Organising Services (LAOS) to build a campaign which promotes the need for a Branch Education Co-ordinator in every Local Government branch.