The Unionist, Issue 68, December 15, 2006

The new Learning Reps project is welcome and long overdue, according to the first reps to be trained in their role, writes the Unionist this week.

Either read on, or download a printable version here (PDF file, 90 kb).

Learning Reps Welcome And Long Overdue, Say First Reps

“It was excellent.  Really good.  This should have been in the workplace years ago.”

So says Harry Holland, a stevedore in Bluff and a Maritime Union member, who was one of twelve workers in the rail, maritime and port industries who came together in Auckland earlier this month for the first training session for new Learning Reps.

The Learning Rep is a new representative role, elected by workers to help them to get the training they need. It is an initiative of the Council of Trade Unions, funded through the Tertiary Education Commission as part of the tripartite Skill NZ programme involving the TEC, the NZCTU, Business NZ and the Industry Training Federation.

Learning Reps Educator Oksana Zinenko, who co-facilitated the course,  said that there had been earlier seminars for union officials and delegates which profiled and discussed the programme, but this month’s training was the first full session with future Reps.

Harry Holland said it would be a great help on his worksite.

“We’ve got a guy here leaving our worksite soon, after 30 years in the industry.  He’s got a lot of experience in machine operation, but has been offered no qualifications.  If Learning Reps had been up and running 10 years ago he might have had some really good qualifications behind him and be able to front up to a new employer with that information.”

“This is going to be a real benefit to the workers,” he said.  “I’ve spoken to them about it already – and they were all keen to know about what we were going to be doing.  The young fullahs are lining up already – they want to take their learning further.  I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

Oksana Zinenko said that the Reps had all talked about the need for the initiative on their worksites.

“Many of the Reps said that they had been waiting for something like this to happen for their worksite.  They were interested in what training and qualifications were available in their industries, and how they could support their co-workers’ career development.”

The Reps learned about the history of the project, the role of the Rep, how Reps benefit workers and employers, identifying learning opportunities outside the workplace  and workers’ literacy needs – including analyzing any barriers to good workplace literacy.

“Health and safety is an important aspect of this, being able to understand instructions and work manuals, and so the programme looks at how Learning Reps can ensure that workers’ literacy needs are being met,” Zinenko said.

The course has a distance learning component, with a number of projects that the Reps will complete between now and March when they come back for a final day of the course. 

Their project work includes looking at enablers and barriers to learning, interviewing other workers about their learning needs, researching qualifications and external learning opportunities, and creating workplace learning agreements.

The CTU provides full distance support while trainees are completing their work over the next fourth months, Zinenko said.

The next workshop is planned for February, where new Learning Reps from a range of industries will come together in Wellington to take part in the training.

And the last word goes to Harry Holland again, who asked about his advice for future learning reps, had no hesitation with his response.

“I’d say step up to the plate and do it.  It’s a real buzz for our workforce to see this happening.”

Weekly Events Listing

Unions Local

Unions Wellington
5:00 p.m. Monday Dec 18th
NZCTU 7th Floor, Education House
Willis Street, Wellington
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Unions Otago
Final meeting, Xmas drinks
Tue 19 Dec, TBC
glendaa@nzno.org.nz

Unions Manawatu Xmas Wind Up
Thurs 21 Dec, starts 3.30pm.  All welcome, BYO.
PSA House, 41-47 King St,
Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz

Other Events & Campaigns

CTU Affiliates ‘Think and Drink’
Guest Speaker: Nicky Hager - The Implications of The Hollow Men For Democracy
Weds Dec 20, 4.30pm.
NZCTU 7th Floor, Education House
Willis Street, Wellington
RSVP required: samh@nzctu.org.nz

Indymedia Visit to Tonga
Two indymedia activists went to Tonga for one week to report, film and photograph the people’s struggle for change. We will talk about our time in Tonga, the current situation and the history of the movement. We will show photos and some film footage too.
Sunday, 17th December, 6pm.
128 Social Centre, 128 Abel Smith Street, Wellington
www.indymedia.org.nz

The Working Womens Resource Centre warmly thanks all our supporters and Red Flag Social Club attendees, and wishes you and your families all the very best for the holiday season and beyond.
May the New Year bring you what ever lights you up.
From Ros Hiini, on behalf of the WWRC Management Committee:
Bronwynn, Fiona, Gabriel, Irena, Kerry D, Kerry R, Linda, Lois, Sue, Stella and Tanja.

Parihaka - Jan 5-7 2006
Tickets can be purchased from usual outlets or from www.parihaka.com.
The CTU Runanga will be having a stall there - come along and say hello!

Radical Youth Auckland are organising a national youth hui in January to learn new skills, have fun and find out what everyone else is up to.
The event will be held on the 20th and 21st of January in Auckland at the Trades Hall. A mixture of practical and theory-the weekend will include workshops,movies, music and a focus on youth action.
This is a chance to meet other young people interested in social and environmental change from around the country and to learn some new tools. Accommodation is available to those coming from out of town with Auckland Radical Youth Members.
There will be no cost to attend the weekend but a small koha or donation may be helpful to cover costs.
Lunch will be provided to those attending the weekend and breakfast and possibly dinner will be provided to those requiring accommodation.
Workshops will include Youth Organising, Struggles in the pacific, Direct action, Animal Rights, Organic Gardening and introductions to anarchism andcapitalism.
Entertainment is still to be confirmed and any offers will be gratefully considered.
As an event organised by and for young people a general guideline of 25 and under only will be followed but to talk about this just contact us.
Registration forms are at http://radicalyouth.org.nz/. Please send back to us at: PO Box 7523, Wellesley St, Auckland

CTU Meetings, Training

Out at Work Council
Fri 26 Jan 2007, 9am-4pm
NZCTU 7th Floor, Education House
Willis Street, Wellington

Women’s Council
Fri 9 Feb 2007, 9am-5pm
NZCTU 7th Floor, Education House
Willis Street, Wellington

CTU Meeting on Tertiary Education Reforms
Tues 13 Feb 2007, 10 am - 12 noon
NZCTU 7th Floor, Education House
Willis Street, Wellington
eileenb@nzctu.org.nz

CTU Political Work Group
Weds 14 Feb 2007, 1pm - 3.30pm
NZCTU 7th Floor, Education House
Willis Street, Wellington
carolb@nzctu.org.nz

CTU Food Industry Group
Fri 16 Feb, 10am-3pm
NZCTU 7th Floor, Education House
Willis Street, Wellington
andrewc@nzctu.org.nz

Combined CTU Land and Maritime Sector Transport Group
Fri 23 Feb, 9am-3.30pm
NZCTU 7th Floor, Education House
Willis Street, Wellington
andrewc@nzctu.org.nz

CTU National Affiliates Council
Thurs Feb 22
St Johns Church, Cnr Willis and Dixon St, Wellington.

Contact
If you have any information about upcoming CTU events please contact:
Sam Huggard - (04) 802 3817, email: samh@nzctu.org.nz