Time to restore the rich tradition of community-building
In the first of a two-part feature for TUC Congress, DOUG NICHOLLS, general secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions, discusses the issues involved in developing trade union and community relations
RMT senior assistant general secretary EDDIE DEMPSEY highlights the priorities for the union’s meeting taking place in York
IF A trade union had a problem with its computer system, the chance is that it would contract a qualified professional to help put it right.
Ditto if the lights went out in union head office and you had paid the exorbitant energy bills, you would probably call an electrician.
However, when it comes to fixing the gulf that has developed between workplace organising and community organising, between trade unions and community organisations, unions haven’t necessarily taken advantage of professional advice or learned from the rich tradition of community-building that we have throughout the country.
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