“Unions into Schools” is part of The Scottish Executive – Enterprise in Education agenda. The programme of school visits has been co-ordinated and managed by the STUC (Dave Moxham, Pauline Walker and Terry Anderson) and supported by a 10 day training programme delivered by TUC Education tutors at Stow College. The training course is supplemented by an on-line training resource that is constantly available, this allows reps to share experiences of school visits and build a practical knowledge base of best practice. All trade union school reps have completed a basic disclosure check, this can be applied for on-line and the STUC offer assistance and support in dealing with any disclosure or application issues.
School visits have taken place throughout Scotland to S3/4 and 5 pupils. At present the STUC trade union school reps have delivered 40 classroom visits to approximately 1000 school pupils, the visits themselves are normally for a single or double period and ideally are preceded by a pre-school visit that enables the union reps and the STUC to introduce themselves to key school personnel and build a picture of how they might deliver their presentation. The most recent school visits in April 2007 have been to Bathgate High in West Lothian, Leith Academy in Edinburgh and Shawlands Academy in Glasgow.
The visits have re-enforced supportive research to suggest that around half of pupils are working either part-time or on a casual basis whilst still in school. Pupils often have questions and queries about their current working conditions and reps are able to offer answers based on their experience and knowledge of the law. “Unions into Schools” is seen as an important link in raising awareness to young people, future workers and future employers of how to build a good working environment in the workplace. Training topics to pupils have included health and safety, issues for young workers, the global economy and workers of the world, employment rights, the law at work, the minimum wage, the living wage campaign, trade union representation, the role of the trade union and negotiation. The sessions have been delivered in an interactive style and are normally delivered by 2 trained schools reps.
Many teachers and head teachers have stated that the experience of meeting trade union reps and debating issues at work compliment the modern studies core education agenda which includes work on campaign groups, politics, history and trade unions. The pupils who fill out an evaluation form have given the union rep visits an overwhelming thumbs up- our latest statistics showing a 95% excellent or very good rating.
The reps involved have been a huge asset in putting a human face to this project out and about in different communities, many have shown immense juggling skills with their hectic schedules to support, invigorate and build a solid foundation to take Unions into Schools outward and upward. 35 reps have been trained so far, with 13 being from PCS. Other unions involved include TGWU, UNISON, GMB, Prospect, Community, RMT, UCATT, CWU, FBU and Amicus.
A training course took place at Inverness College from June 4th to June 7th and the next course for Central Belt based trade unionists is planned for August/September 2007 in either Glasgow or Edinburgh.
For more information contact Terry Anderson (STUC Union & Community Development Officer) on 077791 704 682.