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Arena Magazine 2007 Issue 4 Winter Arena |
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26 & Below
Ben Taylor has made the most of the union’s training courses and is making a big impact at his Alton store in Hampshire
Sainsbury's rep Ben Taylor is putting his skills to the test to persuade more young people to get involved in Usdaw. And with a string of training courses under his belt, bags of confidence and three years' experience he is perfectly placed to succeed.
"I really enjoy being a rep," said Ben. "It's brilliant. I get a buzz out of helping my workmates sort out any problems or just giving them advice.
"Having worked in retail for eight years I know exactly what it's like starting your first job straight from school. There are lots of fears and you tend to accept anything that's thrown at you without questioning it.
"Joining the union and becoming a rep has helped me. I'm more outgoing than ever and not afraid to stand up for what's right. And I get a lot of respect from my colleagues and managers too."
Ben has taken full advantage of Usdaw's excellent training packages to help him become a better rep.
"There are lots of courses to choose from," said Ben. "I've already completed my shop stewards and health and safety courses as well as the Home Study course. And I've done a course on stand down recruitment and inductions. Union training is great; it builds up your knowledge as well as your self-confidence. It's good for networking too - I keep in touch with reps from other Sainsbury's stores across the country."
Ben has also tested his recruitment and organising skills visiting other stores in his area.
"I did some stand-down recruiting earlier in the year. It was a bit scary at first but I learned a lot. I'd love to do it again. I've signed up most of my friends too. They realise that as a young member the union offers them protection and legal back up if anything goes wrong and that makes them feel more secure.
"But I'd like to see more young people joining the union. There's massive potential within Sainsbury's.
"I think we need more campaigning activity specifically aimed at young workers. Special functions and socials explaining what the union's about and what it offers its young members. Maybe a good slogan would be 'Give young people a voice and a choice'."
www.usdaw.org.uk/youngworkers
Trivia file
Age
24
Job
Checkout supervisor
Works
Sainsbury's, Alton, Hampshire
Union positions/youth activity
Usdaw rep and health & safety rep
Branch
H58 North Hampshire
Where are you going on holiday this year?
Orlando, USA
Who would you invite to your celebrity dinner party, and what would be on the menu?
Gordon Ramsay and I'd leave it up to him, as he's the professional chef
If your house was burning down what would you save?
My mobile phone
Which famous person/s living or dead would you like to meet?
Diana Princess of Wales
Who has had the most influence on you?
My mother. She's been ill for the majority of my life but no matter how bad things were she always looked to the future and to the positive things in life
Favourite Film?
Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves
Favourite TV programme?
Hollyoaks
Favourite Band/Artist?
Green Day
Favourite Book?
Any crime/thriller
Where do you go for a night out?
Pub/clubs with mates
Any hobbies, interests?
Badminton, swimming, ten pin bowling
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