Unions urged to focus on organising

The annual Trades Union Congress last month passed a detailed resolution on union organising, asserting that "a growing union movement is the most effective way of eliminating unfairness at work and improving the working lives of our members".

Unions were urged to extend organisation beyond traditional areas, and in particular to increase membership and bargaining across the private sector. The motion noted that only 36% of the workforce is currently covered by collective bargaining.

It added: "Growth based on active organising and other member-centred campaigns is also the most effective way of building a positive profile with people at work and the wider public."

Tony Woodley, general secretary of the T&G general union, moved the motion and described it as "a wake-up call". He called on unions to focus their resources on organising - and the TUC to focus its resources on supporting union organising.

Unions were urged to:

* shift resources towards systematic organising campaigns;

* train and encourage reps to take on organising work;

* audit all activities in terms of their organising impact;

* use appropriate organising objectives to manage and review these campaigns; and

* make full use of the organising opportunities provided by the forthcoming information and consultation regulations.

Delegates also adopted a resolution put forward by the TUC Black Workers' Conference, calling on the general council to develop a "detailed strategy for organising black workers ... and increasing participation in the trade union structures."