4 star hotel for union officials paid for by us

[MinisterofCucumber]

Alvescot Lodge completed after a £1.5m renovation project :

http://www.cwutv.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is meant to be an education facility but how well trained are our reps?

How many CWU members have been to Alvescot Lodge?

What does it cost to run?

Are they taking the living piss?

[Lincox]

Used to play football against Alvescot Village in my youth. Never been inside, but this place from all accounts is palacial. The only draw back is that it sits off the back of RAF Brize Nortons runway, so I would imagine is quite noisy at times. But I agree, what is a Union doing spending money on places like this, but then again why does religious organisations always need multi millioned pound properties to worship in.

[Funked!]

I aint happy with the CWU big wigs regarding this deal, but to call Alvescot palacial is laughable. It is good accommodation although the rooms are small, not designed for you to stay inside them. Where would you want your unit reps to stay ?

[baldrick]

I've done a course at Alvescot too. It's certainly not 4 star. Quite basic.
The alternative would be to really put reps/officers on training courses into expensive hotels.

[Big Daz]

It is a training centre for reps[/b (both postal and telecoms) inherited from the old Post Office Engineering Union.

They set it up many many years ago after a motion was passed through POEU conference.

POEU became NCU which went on to merge with UCW and thus the lodge became the property of the new CWU union.


In terms of running costs, these have been reduced quite dramatically due to measures introduced by the refit. Home grown food is also used.


It is not a 4 star hotel , it is a ex hunting lodge with a extension which has formed the new living quarters for CWU reps staying there. The chalets which had been around since B.C have been demolished.

The rooms that students have are new and modern and tiny. Bed shower desk chair toilet sink and shower all in one tiny little room.

There is a large classroom within the old building where courses are delivered, details of courses on CWU education website

If you want a CWU hotel you need to look to Dorset not Oxfordshire.

[MinisterofCucumber]

I've done a course at Alvescot too. It's certainly not 4 star. Quite basic.

Who do you lot think you are fooling?

Look at CWUTV. The female voice-over propaganda describes it as a 4 star hotel. Baldrick, you must go on some seriously good holidays if you think Alvescot is basic.

By the way, did you go on the 'Advanced Bullshitting Skills' course or the 'How to string a case out for as long as possible thereby avoiding having to do any real work while causing the maximum distress for your member' course?

[pcb]

MOC please put yourself forward instead of sitting on the sidelines and become a Rep then after you have done the job and been to Alverscot and done a course and you still think its a bloody jolly then you would have a point!

[baldrick]

No it was a basic computing course.
It was over 10 years ago, so it was when they still had the old annexe rooms.

[Funked!]

No one is trying to fool anyone i've been there many times like other members. You are making yourself look a mug by taking cheap, uninformed shots that is nothing like what you envisage!

I agree with alot of your posts on the agreement, but you are wrong here. Answer my question where would you have your unit reps stay ?

[MinisterofCucumber]

Funked,

The main problem with the training of CWU reps is that it is ineffective. Residential courses can only train a limited number of people per year. How much use is devoted to effective education compared with its use time for junkets?

I think internet based training alongside travelling workshops would reach more people. Also, you have to look at what sort of courses are being taught by the CWU. Reps need to be trained on agreements and this does not happen.

I am not interested in becoming a CWU rep. The more I experience the CWU, the more disgusted I become. I am forming the opinion that the CWU is a danger to humanity.

Please look at my posts regarding members' access to the intranet. I hope I have also given some effective advice on how to use the grievance procedure.

The CWU is rotten to the core and needs to be replaced by an honest union.

[Big Daz]

The tutors are very good and come from various unions. They keep the quality of education high!!

Allways a good mix of Royal Mail Group and British Telecom Group based CWU members.

Alvescot has been built up overa long period of time and if not for the merger we would not own Alvescot and would not be having this discussion.

Remember us on the postal side of the CWU inherited it we did not purchase it, that was our comrades in what is now BT Group.

There was substantial debate at conferences and on a ongoing basis about Alvescot and what the CWU should do with it, in the end the democratic decision was to refurbish it rather than sell it and purchase a alternative building tobe a education and traing centre,

In terms of members, I would like to see a introduction to trade unionism course to be delivered at weekends (Fri SAt SUN) for rank and file mbrs.

MOC

Have you not heard of the postal agreements and procedures course?

[MinisterofCucumber]

I saw the 'postal agreements and procedures' course listed as taking place 2 or 3 times a year. How many reps go on it per year?

[Big Daz]

MOC

Alvescot IS NOT the only place CWU reps get their Training and Education.

Mail centres and colleges can be used, many colleges have a trade union studies centre. Here is a example for you

http://www.huntingdon.ac.uk/tuc-studies/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I did TUC Health & Safety stage 1 and stage 2 via day release attending a regional college up in the city. That gave me the oppurtuniuty to meet reps from other companies and therfore broadenin my understaning of trade unions in non RM/CWU workplaces

Course at Alvescot allow reps to meet up with reps from other parts of the country and reps who work for RM Group companies to meet with reps from other companies such as BT. Im sure you can see some merit in that?

Ive done my CWU rep intoduction course at the mail centre

I had my conduct code and attendance procedure training at the mail centre as well

My branch has courses due to be delivered at the mail centre again this year which is good news for me as the missus and the children wont be too happy with me being away for a week. That said train fare from my local station to the big station at the end of the line for 5 return trips will cost the branch more than a open return trip to oxford Train Station on the coach where those staying at Alvecsot get picked up by the CWU minbus driven by the site and computer maintenace man.


I have done 3 courses in total at Alvecsot since I became active in the CWU back in 2001.

[Funked!]

Funked,

The main problem with the training of CWU reps is that it is ineffective. Residential courses can only train a limited number of people per year. How much use is devoted to effective education compared with its use time for junkets?

I think internet based training alongside travelling workshops would reach more people. Also, you have to look at what sort of courses are being taught by the CWU. Reps need to be trained on agreements and this does not happen.

I am not interested in becoming a CWU rep. The more I experience the CWU, the more disgusted I become. I am forming the opinion that the CWU is a danger to humanity.

Please look at my posts regarding members' access to the intranet. I hope I have also given some effective advice on how to use the grievance procedure.

The CWU is rotten to the core and needs to be replaced by an honest union.

MOC, there are reps & there are reps like most things, some are better than others. You don't need me to point this out.

Again regarding your post (internet training) i agree with, although it's not the only answer. How many members would actually go on courses given the opportunity anyway. I handed out forms last month with a list of courses or what courses members would like to do given the opportunity (set up by the branch education rep) & have received one back to date, this was to an office of 90 staff.

Yes you have given effective advice re: grievance procedure.

BUT, all this is not why you started this thread is it. You tried to make out Alvescot is some lavish holiday camp with junkets flowing, all paid for by CWU members.

Now you answer my question for the 3rd time, where would you have your unit reps stay ?

[Spartacus]

Is the minister getting Alvescott and The Elstead Hotel mixed up?

Alvescott is a basic place, The Elstead is a commercial business.

I know which one I'd rather stay at.