HeartUnions week

HeartUnions week 2024 takes place from 12-18 February, it is an annual TUC initiative that celebrates and strengthens trade unions by recognising the power of working people to effect real lasting change. It encourages all workers to join a union! #HeartUnions
 

This HeartUnions week we are launching our new CSP steward stage 2 course!

Twenty stewards have signed up to undertake this training and deepen their existing skills in supporting and empowering members and building power in the workplace.

The course is project-based and is centred on the idea of learning by doing. Each steward will carry out a project on one of the following areas: casework and representing members; negotiation; mapping and building the CSP team; or campaigning in the workplace. Stewards will research, plan and share their ideas with one another before carrying out and evaluating their work.

We hope to run this course again in the future. Please email enquiries@csp.org.uk if you would like to be alerted about upcoming follow-on courses.

HeartUnions actions that you can take...

  • Identify who your local steward or safety rep is and say hello! You can use the Find My Rep feature to help you

  • Ask your physiotherapist and support worker colleagues whether they are a member of a union and encourage them to join the CSP if not

  • Opt in to receive emails from the CSP to make sure you keep up to date with CSP campaigns and information useful to you

  • Update your employment/contact details so your CSP workplace reps and the CSP centrally can best support you. Be sure to add your mobile number

Do this and you aren't just a member, you're an activist!

  • Order some print-on-demand posters to put up around workplace on an issue that matters to you

  • Contact your CSP steward or health and safety rep to see if they need any help supporting CSP members

  • Stand as a CSP rep to make sure your colleagues get proper support locally 

  • Join a network within your trust or health board that you feel is relevant to you  

  • Sign up as a pay activist and help shape the 2024/25 pay campaign 

CSP steward or safety rep?

  • Fill in our workplace wins survey to share an example of how you helped you members recently  

  • Email your members with a summary of positive action your CSP workplace team achieved with members support in your workplace – for example, a mini newsletter 

  • Organise a meeting with your local CSP steward/rep team to map your members and identify gaps to aid CSP member recruitment – contact your CSP organisers for support if needed

  • Share a positive experience of working with staff within the CSP – for example, have you had a recent meeting with a senior negotiating officer or organiser that you found useful . Let us know by emailing jointheteam@csp.org.uk  

  • Interested in organising training? Check out this free TUC course that you can do at your own pace

More information about the CSP in the workplace

How we celebrated previous HeartUnions weeks 

CSP steward Ella explains why being a member of a trade union is so important.

Alex MacKenzie, former Chair of CSP Council, talks about how the CSP can support and empower members.

Watch a recording of Get Active in the CSP, an event held with @thecspstudents.

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