Double win for Usdaw Reps at TUC

Date: 13 September 2011

Two Usdaw Reps won first prize in the prestigious National TUC Awards in the Union Learning Rep and Organising categories beating off stiff competition from across the UK and across all Unions.

The dynamic duo were presented with their awards by TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber and President Michael Leahy at the National Congress in London today (Tuesday 13 September).

McVitie's Rep Jonathan Waterhouse won the Union Learning Rep Award after he was instrumental in setting up a learning centre and delivering first-class learning opportunities for hundreds of members at his Manchester site. "I'm delighted to have won the award, not for myself, but for the team at McVitie's who have delivered opportunities for our members to have a second chance of improving their skills, building their confidence and improving their employment prospects", said Jonathan.

While Tesco's Anas Ghaffar won the Organising Award after he recruited more than 300 members during a six month period, raising awareness of the Union and co-ordinating a team of 12 Reps at his store in Slough, Berkshire. "This is a great boost for the team at Tesco Slough," said Anas. "My time on the Union's Academy played an important part in my development and I've put a lot of what I learnt during those six months in to practice in my store. It's clearly paid off."

General Secretary John Hannett said: "This is fantastic news for Jonathon and Anas who richly deserve their awards after all the hard work they've put in. Congratulations to the two of them and their teams of Reps who have done a great job.

Committed Reps like these are making a real difference to working people's lives on a daily basis and I'm delighted they have received the recognition they deserve. Trade Union Reps in general don't get enough credit for the work they do on a daily basis to improve workers' lives so this is great news for Jonathan, Anas and Usdaw."