recruitment KJP1


Building a community


Bringing colleagues together boosts union strength and solidarity. Kath Grant reports


U


nion recruitment and organisation is not just about increasing numbers – it’s about building a community,


participants at an NUJ webinar were told. Last year, the Central Arbitration


Committee approved an application for automatic recognition at the Press Association because the majority of journalists were union members. PA chapel officers, who spent years


campaigning for this, said the key to recruitment was developing an NUJ community at work, through conversations, social events and the use of social media to share the benefits of union membership. Webinar participants were reminded


that, in the early days of trade unionism, working people’s social clubs, walking groups and community day schools run by establishments such as the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and mechanics institutes complemented and enhanced union organisation.


The Manchester Mechanics Institute hosted the first meeting of the TUC, and a WEA art appreciation class in the North East inspired the development of the renowned Ashington Group – the Pitmen Painters. Trade unions also grew out of friendly societies, groups of craftsmen who supported their fellow workers, including those travelling around the country looking for work . These types of structures no longer exist so today’s trade unionists need to build their own communities to boost strength and solidarity.


NUJ general secretary Laura Davison and vice-president Gerry Curran said the webinar had been organised to share examples of recruitment and organising work, and hear from members about their own ideas. Curran, who also chairs the national


executive council’s (NEC) development committee, emphasised each workplace has its own issues but said all members could ask themselves: “When was the last time I asked someone to join the NUJ?” Many journalists say they’ve never been asked – yet, if all members recruited one person, it would double the membership. Davison said members’ voices and


creativity had helped drive the NUJ through ‘tough times’ of redundancies, but hopefully new laws would open up more access to unrecognised workplaces. During pandemic lockdowns and


post-Covid hybrid workplace practices, unions provided ways of working together to combat isolation. Chapels, branches, industrial councils and individual members all have their role to play. Union action at newspaper groups such as Reach and high-profile cases, like the equality issues at the BBC, brought union members together and could boost recruitment. The general secretary had particular praise for workplace reps throughout the UK and Ireland, backed by national and regional organisers. She said it was the dedication and determination of these reps that had led to the union’s success in gaining recognition.


“ Davison told the meeting


of NUJ reps’ training opportunities, including a workshop, and that NUJ trainer Caroline Holmes would be attending the annual delegate meeting in Blackpool. The PA chapel co-chairs,


Early doors: the Manchester Mechanics Institute was an early supporter of trade unions, hosting the first TUC event


Jonathan Brady and Emily Pennink, said union recognition was the culmination of a four-year process and the chapel had ‘gone from strength to strength’. They had held numerous discussions about building the chapel; one-to-one conversations were essential. “There were 300 people from widely dispersed workplaces and we were starting from scratch,” Pennink said. Social events tended to be London-


centric so they used social media networks and WhatsApp groups. These had drawbacks but they stayed upbeat, despite some negative responses. “The community was able to hear a wide range of views and that was good,” they said. Brady was reassured by Davison’s


advice that chapel officers did not have to react immediately to negative comments: “She said we should keep things positive, learn about the difficulties members were expressing and think about solutions.” Union staff knowledge is important if


There were 300 people from widely dispersed workplaces and we were starting from scratch


chapels are to develop and retain energy and enthusiasm. “Issues like AI need support from the national organisers and, if there’s one thing we regret, it is that we didn’t undertake the NUJ reps’ training earlier,” Brady said. NEC member Georgina Morris


described how branches can help build union communities. Her West Yorkshire branch has an online meetings every other month and these alternate with social evenings so members can chat informally about issues at work.


theJournalist | 07


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