Trade Union Reps – Making a Difference in the Workplace

November 24th 2010

Trade Union Reps – Making a Difference in the Workplace

November 24th 2010

STUC logo

The 2010 STUC Union Rep Awards recognized the outstanding contribution made by local union reps in their workplaces. The workers who received these Awards are in Edinburgh this week, as part of Scottish Parliament Trade Union Week.

The First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, met with these union reps today (Wed 24 Nov) and said

“Trade Union Week is an opportunity to recognise the important work of our trade unions to promote equality and social justice, and to create and maintain high quality jobs.

“The STUC represents more than 640,000 people across Scotland and the Union Reps Awards recognise and celebrate the hard work of trade unionists in their workplaces. I would like to congratulate all the award winners on their achievements. These awards rightly acknowledge the difference that individuals can make to businesses, communities and Scotland’s economy.”

Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, said

“On equality, on Lifelong Learning, and on Health and Safety, our workplace reps are making a huge difference. We are delighted that the First Minister has acknowledged their contribution”

ENDS

For further information contact Ann Henderson 0141 337 8100

NOTES TO EDITORS

The STUC Union Rep Awards consist of three awards: the STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning, the STUC One Workplace Equality Award and the STUC Health & Safety Award. The nomination process for the awards asks unions to identify lay activists who have excelled in the promotion of the workplace learning agenda, equalities or health and safety within their union, workplace or community.

  1. Helen Dowie Award…….. This award recognises the leading role trade union activists have played in workplace learning in all sectors throughout Scotland. Investment in skills and training is the key to help speed along the economic recovery. The Union Learning Reps at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport have demonstrated a robust negotiating structure which has resulted in an exemplary partnership between the unions and the employer through a workplace learning agreement. This illustrates how trade unions can help develop the full potential of individual workers

  2. One Workplace Equal Rights Equality Award

The recipient of the 2010 One Workplace Equality Award is Satnam Ner from Prospect. In his role as Branch Chair, Prospect, Rosyth Branch working at Babcock International Group, Satnam has ensured that the principles of equality are included in the union’s bargaining agenda and that management do not lose sight of these issues in all their policies and practices in the workplace.

  1. Health and Safety Award (sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors)

The recipients of this year’s STUC health and safety award are the Unite health and safety representatives at Spirit Aerosystems at Prestwick. With the support of Unite, a highly effective team of 17 safety representatives, representing the 750 employees have developed positive working relationships with the company that have not only been of benefit to the health, safety and welfare of Spirit Aerosystems employees but also other employers, and schools in the wider Ayrshire community through school visits and the representatives providing training for local employers.