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 Home Get Active Successful Organising
26 & Below: Activist Nana Williams20 June 2007Activist Nana Williams learned the hard way that workplaces without a union can be unfair and unpleasant places to work. Young rep Nana Williams' first job was as an 18 year-old security guard and it wasn't what he expected. But he learned from the incident and is keen to help other young workers avoid the same problems. "I know from my own experience how isolated you can feel when you first start work," said the 23 year-old now employed at Sainsbury's distribution depot at Enfield. "It can be a very lonely experience especially when you have a problem and don't know who to turn to. I know that feeling. The night store manager was always bullying me and never off my case. I didn't like it but I put up with it because I didn't know what to do about it or who to ask for help. "But when I started working for Sainsbury's and joined the union I realised that you don't have to put up with this kind of treatment - nobody deserves to be treated in this way. "I'm lucky because the union is very strong in my workplace. We have a good convenor and reps and support from our area organiser and 85 per cent membership - so it's a good place to work." Nana's involvement with Usdaw has progressed and he is now part of the divisional youth team. It has been quite a turnaround for the father-of one. "Being involved with the union has taught me so much, I'm confident and self-assured and know exactly who and where to ask for help. "I was lucky enough to go to this year's annual delegate meeting in Blackpool for the first time. I really enjoyed it and I'm really enjoying being part of Usdaw. "Many workers, especially young workers don't know their rights. They need advice and support to find solutions for their problems and it's my job as their union rep to help with this," said Nana who is involved with his divisional youth committee, and is becoming more active. "Young people need more support because they are vulnerable and easily exploited. They are pressured to work longer and later very often doing dangerous jobs. It's totally unfair that in some workplaces young workers don't get the full adult rate of pay even though they're doing the same job."
Trivia file
JobWarehouse worker on shifts
WorksSainsbury's Distribution, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire
Married/childrenMarried with a daughter
LivesEnfield, London
Union positionsUnion rep and an active member of the Eastern divisional youth committee
BranchC104
Where are you going on holiday this year?New York
Who would you invite to your celebrity dinner party? And what would be on the menu?Tony Blair and Nelson Mandela and the menu would be purely West African and Chinese cuisine
If your house was burning down what would you save?My daughter Michelle
Which famous person living or dead would you like to meet?Princess Diana
Favourite film?Enemy of the State
Favourite TV?Prison Break & Lost
Favourite band/artist?Osibisa from Ghana, Mr Music Man Kojo Antwi
Favourite book?King Solomon's Mines
Where do you go for a night out?To the cinema
Any hobbies, interests?Watching movies, football & reading
Where is your favourite holiday destination?Paris. Contact Details Media and Communications Department Ph: 0161 224 2804 Fax: 0161 249 2490 communications@usdaw.org.uk  Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
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