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Network Journal 2005 Issue 2 |
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Optimistic outlook for energetic union
By John Hannett, General Secretary
It’s an exciting time to be involved in Usdaw with plenty going on across all divisions.
Our third and biggest Organising Academy intake has just started on their six month secondment. We have launched our first national recruitment draw with some fantastic prizes and we have embarked on three national recruitment campaigns in Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrisons. Details of all three exciting initiatives can be found in this issue of Network.
We hear a great deal about the so-called 'compensation culture' which is supposedly sweeping the nation.
However, when you look behind the headlines you'll soon realise this is a myth and a dangerous myth at that. The facts are that for every ten workers injured at work only one actually receives any compensation.
Workers are far more likely to succeed with a claim if they are a member of a union. Last year for example Usdaw's Legal Plus Service recovered more than £19 million for members injured or treated unfairly at work.
Many of these successful claims involved lengthy legal proceedings which ordinary working people would not have been able to afford on their own. To them Usdaw membership was worth its weight in gold. Equally important is that as a union member you're not at the mercy of the 'no win no fee' merchants who in many instances have misled people over their compensation claims.
Now the election is over we can all focus on what we do best - recruit, organise and represent workers in all sectors across the UK.
That's not to say our political work will stop, it won't. Over the years we have made important gains in the political arena and we will continue with this vital aspect of our work.
Remember without a political voice we wouldn't have the national minimum wage, protection against Christmas Day trading and working tax credits, to name but a few of the positive policies introduced by the Labour Party.
I'd like to put on record my appreciation for the hard work of our activists and officials who helped to deliver an historic third term for the Labour Government. As an added bonus we now have 16 MPs in our parliamentary group allowing us to take the concerns and wishes of our members to the heart of Government. So while the general election hysteria has subsided for another four or five years Usdaw will continue to campaign in all the important political arenas.
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