Unions improve learning at work

Learning and skills experiences at work are significantly improved in organisations where there is a local union rep and where the employer engages positively with the union. The finding comes from a membership survey in spring 2008 by the finance sector of general union Unite.

For example, when asked if their company was positive about allowing staff time off for training, three-quarters (74%) of those with an office union rep agreed that it was, compared to 60% with no office union rep. In response to the same question, 78% of members working for employers with a positive attitude towards unions said the companies were positive about allowing time off for training, compared to 52% of members whose employers’ attitude towards unions was negative.

However, the survey also revealed that a positive attitude about the need to train staff often didn’t translate into practice in the workplace. Less than three quarters (72%) said they got the training they needed for their job and only 58% said their job enabled them to learn new skills and develop their abilities.