Potential Objections | Suggested Response
• Generally CWU communications are sent only to members.
I haven’t heard
much about the
Union
• The CWU has 20,000 members in the communications industry. We
have our own magazine, Connect, and two websites - www.cwu.ie and
www.callcentreunion.ie.
• Many individual issues are resolved in a low key manner for the benefit of
members.
• We are affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and have been
involved in National Social
The Union is not
relevant to my life
• All workers in Ireland enjoy benefits that have been negotiated for by
the Trade Union movement over many years. These include the right
to a minimum wage, maternity leave, health and safety legislation, paid
holidays, equality at work, the right to a minimum redundancy payment,
the right to challenge a dismissal, pension schemes, the 5 day working
week, plus regular pay increases.
• The Union is relevant in every way to your working life, whether you realise
it or not.
RECRUITERS
The CWU is moving from being a servicing Union to an organising Union. Every member is a recruiter and organisation
is the lifeblood of the Union. With this in mind, the CWU has appointed two full time organisers who work with the
organising committee of the National Executive Council. The CWU also promotes the recently launched Union
Learning Representative skills programme, which aims to increase workers’ voices in the workplace through high
quality Union learning.
Trade Union activists must be aware of the changes that are occurring in Irish society. Many workers are not
organised and suffer exploitation because they are unaware of their employment rights. The challenge for the CWU
is to reach out to these workers and be relevant to their needs.
As a representative you should encourage every member in your area to actively participate in the recruitment of
new staff. It might be the case that, particularly in bigger branches or departments, you will not have immediate
access to new staff. In these instances it is important that a CWU member is encouraged to recruit where possible.
Outlined below are some reasons why everyone has a part to play.
GOOD REASONS TO RECRUIT
WHY UNION
RECRUITMENT IS
ESSENTIAL
As a CWU member, recruiting new members can be rewarding in many ways.
• You are making a valuable contribution to the Union’s strength.
• The more members that sign on, the more collective bargaining power we have on your behalf.
This is clearly not the case. For example the CWU has negotiated:
Management will
do whatever they
want anyway
• Partnership Agreements
• Co-Operative Agreements
• Recognition Agreements
The CWU has ensured that companies must consult with the Union on a
range of issues that affect all workers.
In addition there are legal obligations on employers to inform and consult
workers on big changes that affect their conditions. The CWU has vast
experience negotiating change agreements in the communications
industry.
My company does
not allow or
recognise Trade
Unions
• It is your constitutional, legal right to join a Union so if your employer says
they do not allow Trade Unions, they are breaking the law.
• Even if your company refuses Trade Union recognition, you still have the
right to Trade Union representation on disciplinary and grievance issues
on an individual basis.
• The more workers that join a Union in an anti-Union company, the greater
the opportunity to negotiate a recognition agreement.
• The CWU has already secured recognition agreements in companies that
were initially reluctant.
I’m only
- a part-timer
- on probation
- on a temporary
contract
• Workers who are temporary, part time or on probation are at greater risk of
having their rights infringed upon and as such should be the first to join a
Trade Union.
• The CWU has reduced subscription rates for different categories of
workers, whilst still providing a comprehensive service to all members.
• It is important to the Union that the voices of all workers are represented
regardless of employment status.
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• You are giving your colleagues the opportunity to avail of the numerous benefits of membership, such as
discounts on various products and services.
• Even if you are not the Rep in your branch or department, by recruiting you take some of the workload from
him/ her.
• Approaching a new member of staff to join the Union may be a good opportunity to get to know them better.
FINALLY
There is a very simple reason to join a Union - Union members are better off. They are better off financially by
virtue of enjoying better rates of pay. This fact was most recently confirmed by the CSO’s National Employment
Survey (2006), which shows Unionised workers consistently enjoy higher pay than those in non-Union workplaces.
Unionised workplaces also enjoy better working conditions, with individual Unions frequently negotiating entitlements
for members that are over and above the statutory, legal minimum.
You and Your Union – make it happen
The CWU will continue to grow from strength to strength with the efforts of its Union representatives.
For any advice or assistance in recruiting new members, don’t hesitate to contact CWU directly.
For more information please contact: Communications Workers’ Union
Ceard Chumann Oibrithe Cumarsáide
575 North Circular Rd,
Dublin 1
Tel: 01 866 3000
Fax: 01 866 3099
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cwu.ie
WHY IS UNION RECRUITMENT ESSENTIAL?
Recruitment is the lifeblood of any Union, and the CWU recognises that our Representatives are
the first point of contact for potential members. The more workers in the communications industry
that choose to join the CWU, the more effectively the CWU can represent our members. Put simply
– there is strength in numbers.
The CWU has continually invested in recruitment and the steady growth of our membership is proof
of the recruitment efforts made by all Union Representatives.
The importance of continuing this work cannot be overstated. Successful Union recruitment will
ensure that all workers across the communications sector are properly represented, both now and
in the future.
To assist you in the area of recruitment, the CWU has produced this handbook which sets out the
reasons why workers across the communications industry should join the Union along with some
sample responses to objections you might encounter.
The intention is that this booklet should remain with the CWU Representative for reference
purposes.
OUR AIM
Traditionally the CWU has recruited in companies that were part of the former Post and Telegraphs
industry. However, times have changed and if we are to remain an effective Union we must also
change and recruit new members in other areas of the wider communications industry.
The communications industry has grown and diversified in recent years, with the result that there
are huge recruitment and organising opportunities for the CWU in many areas including call centres,
couriers, contractors and newer telecoms and IT companies.
In addition to these newer areas, it is imperative that in companies where we have existing recognition
agreements that all existing workers who are not currently Union members are actively encouraged
to join the Union. We must return to the philosophy of “If you are in the job, then you should be
in the Union”.
WHY UNION RECRUITMENT IS ESSENTIAL
Potential Objections | Suggested Response
• It costs les than 1% of your basic wage which is tax deductable (get up to
€70 back on your tax).
YOUR ROLE IN RECRUITMENT
As a CWU representative you have a key role to play in the Union’s recruitment strategy. You are
the Union’s “eyes and ears” on the ground and will usually be the first point of contact for potential
members who have just commenced employment in the communications industry. To operate
effectively as a Union and to ensure proper representation for its members, the CWU must be well
organised on the ground and recruit workers as soon as they begin employment.
Cost too high!
• The value added benefits of the CWU such as discounted travel, car and
health insurance mean that you can save more money than you pay in
Union subscriptions.
The CWU provides training courses for Union representatives. Certain companies have agreed to
grant paid leave to representatives who wish to avail of the Union representative training courses.
Where paid leave is not agreed with your company, training is still available for you where you
have free time to offer.
• The CWU aims to improve our members’ terms and conditions of
employment, and improve wages, which leaves our members better off
than any cost of membership.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN BEING A CWU REPRESENTATIVE
• It is a proven fact that it is easier to protect your rights at work if you are part
of a large group i.e. a Union, than you are on your own - particularly in the
current economic climate.
Recruitment is an essential function of the CWU representative and one that ensures the
overall strength of the Union. As new workers are assigned to your area, introduce yourself as
the local representative, outline the benefits of membership and ensure the new staff member
completes an application form.
I don’t need a
Union
• Many people view the more individual aspects of the employment relationship
as being important, particularly if you are on a personal contract. The CWU
offers individual services in the form of legal advice and representation and
indeed industrial relations representation should members need to avail of
this.
I was in a union
before and they
let me down
If I have a
problem, I can
join then
Furthermore, the CWU would like to hear of any developments in the workplace as they take place
and how many people in your place of work will be affected. As representative, you are ideally
situated to let your branch or Head Office know exactly what is happening as it happens.
• It is your constitutional legal right to join a Trade Union.
It would hinder
my career
Support Structure
There are a number of people on hand should you need advice about your role as
representative. Your local Branch Secretary or any National Executive Council member can
assist you with any information you need and are a very useful resource given their knowledge
of your local industrial relations climate. Staff at CWU Head Office can also provide you with
all the resources you need to carry out your role effectively. The CWU has a team of trained
recruitment specialists who can also advise you on how to carry out recruitment campaigns e.g.
assistance with training and providing supporting materials.
Handling Objections
On some occasions, when invited to join, a potential member may raise an objection to
becoming a member of the Union. The CWU identified many objections used by potential
members as a reason for not joining the Union, and enlisted the help of Union activists in
compiling some answers to these.
Outlined below are individual objections that a potential member of the Union may quote when
invited to join the Union. The suggested responses are detailed beside the objection given, which
CWU representatives may use in addressing the concerns of those they are seeking to recruit.
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• It is illegal for your employer to victimise or discriminate against you for
being a member of a Trade Union. In any event your membership of a union
is a private matter and your employer need never know you are in a union.
I don’t like
Unions
• Many CWU training courses can help members get ahead in their chosen
field.
I am a manager
/supervisor
I can’t join a
union
• The CWU has vast experience representing managerial grades and
recognises that sometimes the needs of managers are different to other
workers. In the past we have negotiated agreements on behalf of our
managerial members.
• Quite often the first targets for organisational restructuring are managerial
grades. Your Union can give you a voice in the workplace.
• Managers are entitled to the same benefits as all workers. The CWU
ensures that all of our members receive their legal entitlements.
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• We treat all issues that are raised in a professional and confidential manner.
• The Union is structured so that each issue raised by our members is brought
to conclusion.
• Remaining outside the Union will weaken the Union’s ability to ensure you and
your colleagues are protected and to improve your workplace.
• All CWU membership applications are processed on an individual basis.
Membership should not be assumed as a given and you may be refused
membership if you come to us too late.
• Many situations that become problems can be solved at a much earlier stage
with advice and perhaps informal representation from the Union.
• All workers in Ireland enjoy benefits that have been negotiated by the Trade
Union movement over many years. These include the right to a minimum wage,
maternity leave, health and safety legislation, paid holidays, equality at work,
the right to a minimum redundancy payment, the right to challenge a dismissal,
pension schemes, the 5 day working week plus regular pay increases.
• The CWU is an organisation run by the members and for the benefit of the
members in the communications industry. It exists for your benefit. It is your
Union.
• CWU members represent people at every level in the communications
sector from new entrants to management.
• It is your constitutional legal right to join a Trade Union.
• The CWU is a well organised, proactive, vibrant Union; all of our representatives
can be easily accessed locally.
• Only joining when you have a problem is unfair on your colleagues.
2. Communications
Correspondence for your branch/ department will be sent to you, and it will be your responsibility
to circulate this to the CWU members. If you have a notice board on the premises, you could ask
that notices be left there.
• By not joining you are weakening the Union’s position and are simply taking
advantage of the work and contributions of your colleagues to protect and
improve their workplace.
• Only CWU members get the benefits of Union membership such as the
orphans’ benefit scheme, medical benefit scheme, hardship fund and can avail
of value added benefits such as discounted health insurance, travel insurance,
car insurance and discounted hotel offers.
• It may be interesting to note that many employers themselves are members
of IBEC, which is a Union for employers. This shows how relevant Unions
are in today’s world.
It is also important that the representative highlights the important role all members have to
play in recruitment. Remember that everyone can be a recruiter, not just the representative.
• Only CWU members get to vote on changes being brought in by their employer.
People who remain outside the Union have no vote, no voice and cannot
influence change.
• Only a strong Union can ensure benefits for everyone.
• CWU members receive advice and guidance on employment rights;
they also receive individual representation in disciplinary and grievance
matters.
The training provided by the CWU addresses the practicalities of being a CWU representative
including your role, how to recruit new members and how to handle queries and problems on
behalf of your members. An important part of CWU training is the development of interpersonal
skills such as communication and influencing skills.
1. Recruitment
I’ll get the same
benefits anyway!
• Today’s employment market is flexible and constantly changing. Job
security is not something that can be taken for granted. Can you afford not
to be in a Union?
CWU REPRESENTATIVE TRAINING
The role consists of two key elements, namely:
Potential Objections | Suggested Response
• The CWU is an experienced Trade Union that has a proven track record of
conducting its business in a professional manner.
Unions only
cause trouble
• The CWU works in partnership with many companies to attempt to resolve as
many issues as possible in an amicable fashion. Where disagreements occur
it is important to remember that the Union is serving the best interest of its
members.
• Serious actions taken by the Union are done so on the basis of a ballot to
ensure every member has his/ her say. The CWU regularly consults with its
members.
• It is the members who decide, by way of a ballot, the appropriate action in the
event of a dispute arising.
• In the event of a dispute the CWU always uses and respects the mechanisms
of the state i.e. the Labour Relations Commission, Labour Court and the
National Implementation Body.
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