WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB

SECTION 2.2
A GMB WORKPLACE ORGANISERS CHECKLIST FOR EFFECTIVE
ORGANISATION
Your plans to build the strongest possible union where you work should be based on the following five
Workplace Organising goals:
1.GMB Campaigns
Members and potential members need to know what GMB stands for where they work.Instead of
waiting for management to propose changes and then responding,GMB members at work should have
their own agenda,always keeping the employer on the back foot responding to our members’claims.
GMB Reps must involve all members in decisions that affect them,giving members a vote on every issue
we can and asking them to get involved in their union in any way they can.
2.GMB Communications
Potential members should be aware GMB exists and is active where they work.GMB members must
make sure everyone in the workplace knows what we are campaigning for and how to get involved.
Wherever possible workplaces should adopt their own regular newsletter to keep members informed
and involved,to use as a tool for bringing new members in and to deliver better,more local information
more quickly.
3.GMB Contact
Potential members should not only know how to join but should be approached regularly by a GMB
member at work,told about GMB and asked to join.GMB Representatives in each workplace should know
who is starting and who is leaving the job,who is a member and who is not and use this information to
talk to potential members in their area regularly about the unions’work.This Workplace Mapping is a
central part of the Workplace Organisers role.
4.GMB Credibility
It should be made clear to potential members how GMB can be a solution to the problems they face at
work.Our credibility at work depends on the strength of our organisation and the skills of our
Workplace Organisers to find ways to include members in gaining improvements on local issues and
building the union in the workplace.
Credibility also depends on being honest with our members and trusting them to make the right
decisions together.Members must be involved in setting GMB’s agenda in each and every workplace and
they must know where to go and who to contact if they need help,advice or representation in their
workplace.
5.GMB Commitment
Everyone at work should see GMB as being a part of the workplace and in it for the long term.We should
avoid here today gone tomorrow‘recruitment drives’and make a long term commitment to building
the union in every workplace around the real issues people at each workplace face.
You have already demonstrated your Commitment to build GMB where you work by coming forward to
be a GMB Workplace Organiser and you should make sure everyone at work knows the union is
confident,optimistic and a permanent part of the furniture in your workplace.
Some techniques for achieving the five organising goals are set out in more detail in the next section.