LTB701/14 Membership Records Review - Online Joining

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LTB701/14 Membership Records Review - Online Joining

No. LTB 701/14
Ref: TK/tm/MA
Date: 6th November 2014




Dear Colleagues




Membership Records Review – Online Joining




LTB 619/14 dated 9th October 2014 gave details of developments with regard to the above as part of a wide ranging review into our membership records system and operation.


In line with the decision taken by the NEC we have been reviewing all aspects of the Membership Records Department. This includes the current method for prospective members joining online, which is clearly not fit for purpose. This complex issue required the development of a complete new design that would introduce a user friendly system for prospective new members. The new system would also allow Organisers and Branches the ability to recruit in a more speedily and effective manner.


Following an extensive communications process within which we facilitated a liaison group comprising of individuals from Postal, T&FS and the Communications Department to scope the issue, the NEC at their meeting held 30th October endorsed a solution design document for online joining.


It is without doubt that this package will enable the CWU at all levels to recruit new members more efficiently and more speedily without the need to utilise the numerous application forms currently in existence. It will raise the efficiency within the membership records department and more importantly simplify the process for prospective members.


Finally, it will ensure that any new members will receive immediate information that they are now a member of the CWU.

As a result of this development there is now a clear need to engage with branches, this is to ensure that the process is understood and meets Branch expectations. Additionally there is also a need to engage with Branches on issues arising out of the Trade Union Administration Act to ensure we continue to be legally compliant as a result of the proposed changes within that Act.

I am shortly to meet with officials from the Government Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) as part of their consultation process about how we comply with this new legislation.


To further complicate matters the European Commission has recently issued a memo with regards to the Data Protection Act, at first glance this document appears to tighten up issues around access, control and related matters with regard to the keeping of a members record.


This document is now being examined in detail and once this has taken place any actions we may need to take will need to be developed and discussed as part of the engagement process referred to above.


Following these meetings we will contact Branches again outlining precisely how we will engage on these matters.


Any enquires regarding this subject should be addressed to Tony Kearns, SDGS at the following email address makerman@cwu.org




Tony Kearns
Senior Deputy General Secretary