Migrant workers make up a large and growing part of the public sector workforce, particularly the health service and many of the outsourced areas of work, such as catering and cleaning. The proportion of migrant workers in the public sector has nearly doubled in the last ten years to 13%. And in some key growth areas such as social care they account for nearly 20% of the workforce. UNISON has sought to recruit migrant workers into membership over many years.
It was felt that participation by migrant workers would make the union more responsive to their needs, helping to ensure that they receive fair treatment, dignity and respect in the workplace, which would in turn help to reduce the social and economic exclusion which UNISON has found is experienced by many migrant workers. A more proactive approach was needed to get migrant workers to engage with the union.
Project Goal
- Participation in the democratic processes of the union by migrant workers that is proportionate to participation by migrant workers in the public sector, including contracted out services.
- Increased numbers of migrant worker stewards and activists at all levels.
- The mainstreaming of migrant worker issues in employment relations in the workplace.
- Reduced economic and social exclusion of migrant workers in the workplace.
- UNISON providing services that better meet the needs of migrant workers.
How it works
The migrant workers participation team was set up to educate UNISON officials and activists about the needs and aspirations of migrant workers, helping to ensure that the existing structures become sensitised to the needs of migrant workers. As more migrant workers become active in the union, so the issues they are raising will be mainstreamed, reinforcing the training messages.
Quantifiable targets were identified on a geographical basis and used to measure progress against the overall objective of achieving proportional participation in the union by migrant workers. UNISON uses a documented programme management process for all large-scale projects (including this one), which includes regular review and evaluation.
The first task of the project was for the Working Lives Institute to map the number of migrant worker activists in the union as a proportion of migrant worker members and potential migrant worker members. This was done through a telephone survey of a sample of 100 UNISON branches spread over the 12 Unison regions and three service groups: local government, health and higher education (a 10% sample) in December 2007.
The second task was to begin to identify the factors that encourage or inhibit migrant workers from becoming active in Unison. This was done through a number of focus groups of UNISON migrant worker activists.
Four key elements then took shape, including:
- Promulgation materials
- Outreach through community networks
- Talent spotting
- Pathways into UNISON course.
Results
As a result of the research and interaction with migrants it was possible to identify two key areas of service where migrants had specific needs. For migrants from outside the EU, language was not a barrier, but migration status could be and UNSION established a migration advice helpline as a direct result of the Project. In March 2009 UNISON, working with the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), launched a free immigration telephone advice line for its members who have come to work in the UK from countries outside of the European Union. It provides advice on immigration issues related to the work situation and the right to work in the UK.
The project produced materials to encourage migrant worker representation and organisation, including a guide to recruiting migrant workers, available via the project website.
The project developed relationships between the union and migrant community networks and identified potential activists through outreach work with migrant community groups.
Potential activists were identified and mentored through work with community groups, but also by branches, regional officers and migrant worker activists themselves.
Potential activists identified by promulgation materials, outreach and talent spotting were encouraged to attend the Pathways into UNISON course.
Evaluation
Evaluation by the Working Lives Research Institute says that "one of the major achievements of the project has been the engagement of migrant workers through the Pathways into UNISON course". These are free two day residential pilot courses developed by the union’s Learning and Organising Services (LAOS) and the Migrant Workers Unit. The aim of the course is encourage and support migrant workers who are members of UNISON to become more active in the union.
Who benefits
Migrant workers.
Funding and resources
UNISON
About this good practice
- Project dates
- -
- Geographic area
- United Kingdom
- Organisation
- Unison
- Contact person
- Greg Thomson
Details
- Posted by