This strategy was agreed at the January meeting of the Regional Council.

The recession makes union membership even more important for all ordinary people in Britain.

However many people are not aware of what a union is let alone the importance of a well-unionised workforce for pay, conditions and job security. Some non-members, particularly, may think union membership is an unnecessary expense. Active recruitment is now even more important than ever. It is in the interests of the whole workforce that RMT has the biggest possible membership

The RMT is the fastest growing union in Britain. Much of our success is based on the fact that our reps and activists are at the heart of our activity and our recruitment strategy. This Regional Council plan aims to give the maximum support to activists and branches in order to improve recruitment in all workplaces and to ensure support from across the region for areas facing particular difficulties.

Our work in general & the successes achieved around organising the underground cleaners proves we are the union for all rail workers. We must maintain this work and extend it to all poorly organised and / or low paid areas (eg Security and Catering as well as Cleaning) and fully incorporate it into the day-to-day work of all reps. We must also increase our number of reps in these less organised areas. Many of our cleaning activists have been targeted by the cleaning contractors and there are a lot of new cleaners on the combine. We all need to redouble our efforts and have a big push to get all cleaners in the union and organised. Two other priorities for the region must be TfL & contractors (eg in TubeLines). The branches concerned have done a very good job but activists must be ready with practical help.

We propose three essential aims – if these are agreed they must be carried out - they are a minimum

1. Improve to 100% the recruitment and retention skills and activity of all reps – this is the building block of the union and there is no substitute. Recruitment is not just for Level 1 consultation days etc. Every new ‘face’ at a location whether from the company or a cleaning company or contractor to be spoken to on Day 1. To help this:

• All reps will be sent a letter from the Regional Organiser stressing this role
• Recruitment and Retention Training Sessions on the first Monday of the month (held every month or every other month) – every branch to ensure that 1 rep attends.
• Welcome pack for new staff to be produced including special materials eg basic info for station staff.
• Standard notices to be available in hard and electronic copy to enable Reps details to be displayed at every location. Training sessions on this to be held.
• Special recruitment/retention leaflets produced for all reps to hand out to existing and new cleaners, security, catering and contractors.

2. Improve Branch activity & approach to recruitment & retention – central activity not optional extra:

• Meeting in New Year for Branch Recruitment Officers – to discuss branch plans etc – if no Officer in post Branch Secretary /Chair to attend
• All branches to ensure recruitment & retention first on agenda, is real discussion & is acted on and includes involving the branch in the next Regional Recruitment Days.
• Recruitment issues/problems to be immediately reported to the appropriate functional/senior reps, Regional Recruitment Officer and Regional Organiser.
• Cleaners issues to also be a standing item for the next year again as a real discussion & local cleaners reps invited to attend.

Reminder – all branches should have a Recruitment Officer and Cleaners Co-ordinator

3. Improve Regional Recruitment & Retention with special emphasis on areas needing attention

• All branches to make sure that all reps are alerted to their Organising Day, encouraged strongly to attend and report areas they feel need special attention.
• All senior reps expected to participate in a good proportion of Regional Organising Days. One of the biggest reasons for people not joining or leaving a union is because issues have not been taken up. A role of the senior reps on the day will be to ensure that industrial / health and safety issues are being addressed.
• Special Organising Weeks / Activities to be organised concentrating on TfL, Sodhexo, Contractors, Cleaners and Security in conjunction with local branches and activists across the combine.

Proposed dates : Meeting for all Branch Recruitment Officers Friday February 20th 2pm Unity House. LTRC Organising week: Monday 27th April – Friday 1st May