172 MPs back campaign for Workplace Learning Committees

172 MPs are backing a campaign to give Usdaw’s 340,000 members the legal right to elect Learning Committees in their workplaces across the UK.

MPs from across the UK signed an Early Day Motion praising Union Learning Reps from many unions who have helped 100,000 colleagues access a range of courses from basic literacy skills to learning a new language or start a degree level course.

Trade unions want a small change in the law that would mean employers have to work with elected Union Learning Reps in the same way they have a statutory obligation to work with reps on existing Health and Safety Committees.

“Many of our members haven’t been back to the classroom since they left school but they are telling us loud and clear they want learning in their workplace,” says Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett. “We think this minor change in the law will allow them to access learning in a much more direct way and we’re delighted so many MPs agree.”

“There’s still a long way to go but gaining the support of over a third of Labour’s MPs is a very encouraging start indeed. They know that backing this change will help us strengthen our negotiating hand with those employers who don’t see the direct economic benefits of offering educational opportunities to their workers.”

“All the evidence shows that workers who are accessing education are better motivated, absenteeism drops and they are more productive. Everyone wins with this proposal which is something a large number of MPs have recognised by signing up so enthusiastically.”

Mick Power is typical of the Union Learning Reps who lobbied MPs at Westminster to support the Early Day Motion. He helped create from nothing a learning centre at a distribution facility offering a wide range of vocational courses.

“I can see for myself every day the power of learning and it has really boosted the confidence of my colleagues,” Mick said after the visit. “I’m even more pleased the Government has put more money into the Union Learning Fund as more and more people want to use our centre so the extra resources will come in handy.”

“I was able to lobby the new Learning Minister Bill Rammell who’s my local MP and he was so impressed with what we told him about our achievements he’s agreed to make it one of his first site visits which is a real vote of confidence.”

Usdaw will be making a submission to the Government’s White Paper on “Skills – Getting on in Business, Getting on in Work” consultation putting the proposal for statutory Workplace Learning Committees direct to government.

Notes to Editors:

• Please contact Usdaw to find out if your MP has signed the EDM.

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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