any advice on becoming a rep??

[daveyeff]

the rep of 4 years has just resigned. there,s been a few people bandied my name about, but even though i make my mouth go, i dont think i,ve got the knowledge, or temperment to be a rep.,i want to stick up for my colleagues, i want to turn management inside out. i want to be THE MAN. but really, i dont think ive got what it takes to put the gaffers on their arse. how do you know what to say? a manager will be clued up, but i only know what ive heard on the floor or on here. would the union put me through a course, to face a manager that could turn me inside out, and tie me up in knots. our office is totally s**t, if i went as a rep, how could i protect someone who is going to get put on a stage 1 or 2. i really want to do this, but im so scared i,ll get shot down in flames, any advice from new cwu reps or ex reps or indeed hq, MUCH appreciated.

[arnold cheshire]

the rep of 4 years has just resigned. there,s been a few people bandied my name about, but even though i make my mouth go, i dont think i,ve got the knowledge, or temperment to be a rep.,i want to stick up for my colleagues, i want to turn management inside out. i want to be THE MAN. but really, i dont think ive got what it takes to put the gaffers on their arse. how do you know what to say? a manager will be clued up, but i only know what ive heard on the floor or on here. would the union put me through a course, to face a manager that could turn me inside out, and tie me up in knots. our office is totally s**t, if i went as a rep, how could i protect someone who is going to get put on a stage 1 or 2. i really want to do this, but im so scared i,ll get shot down in flames, any advice from new cwu reps or ex reps or indeed hq, MUCH appreciated.

the cwu do union courses in bournemouth

[Stormproof]

I know exactly how you feel davey. I think if you are the rep then your branch will sort out training for you. I've just become the sub and yesterday I got thrown a folder dated 2001 to read through, probably well out of date! I guess that'll be my training. The confidence thing is a big issue for me aswell, in my first month as sub rep I had to hold a floor meeting with the DOM because the rep was off......I ended up having to ask the old sub to talk for me.
I'm not trying to put you off, go for it. If the people in your office think you are the guy for the job then you are the guy for the job.

[Big Daz]

You will need to apply for courses as well so if you take on a the reps job look at the courses being run. As new reps/sub reps start with postal agreeements and procedures course and union skills 1 then follow with skills 2 and 3 if you so wish do so. Courses are delivered regionally and nationally at the CWU education and training centre in OXfordshire. A union skils 1 course in Oxforshire will allow to meet reps from telecoms who are also in the same position as you in recently taking on a reps post. The skills courses have a mixture of postal and telecoms reps on them.

[silly suffolk]

induction course takes 2 days,i had mine on site at my office, taught by div rep. it gets u off on the right track. then u learn as u go.

[enzio]

the rep of 4 years has just resigned. there,s been a few people bandied my name about, but even though i make my mouth go, i dont think i,ve got the knowledge, or temperment to be a rep.,i want to stick up for my colleagues, i want to turn management inside out. i want to be THE MAN. but really, i dont think ive got what it takes to put the gaffers on their arse. how do you know what to say? a manager will be clued up, but i only know what ive heard on the floor or on here. would the union put me through a course, to face a manager that could turn me inside out, and tie me up in knots. our office is totally s**t, if i went as a rep, how could i protect someone who is going to get put on a stage 1 or 2. i really want to do this, but im so scared i,ll get shot down in flames, any advice from new cwu reps or ex reps or indeed hq, MUCH appreciated.

were are you based because a lot of colleges now run union rep courses but if you feel like you want to do it go for it but just rember that you will not please every one all the time why not see if you can get someone to do it with you it makes it a lot easy if there is two of you good luck

[MinisterofCucumber]

Get access to the CWU website, you will need your membership number.

Download an application for the Union Skills 1 Course and get your Branch Secretary to sign it.

Get access to the RMG intranet, you will need your NI number and the use of a work computer. Policies that are relevant to you can be found on the intranet.

As a rep, you will have the power to alter your members' contracts on local issues like annual leave and overtime. Management will try to get you to agree to things in their favour. If you disagree, then you pass the matter up to your Area Rep inline with the IR Framework.

The intranet's 'people finder' will give you the email addresses of your managers. I advise that you communicate as much as possible in writing via email. This means you will have evidence. Verbal agreements don't really stand when it comes to the crunch. You don't want to get involved in a 'he said-she said' argument.

Management's job is to get as much work out of their staff for the cheapest price. Our job is to make sure they keep to the rules.

If you need any help, pm me.

Good luck.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ ... /DG_179246" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[johnnyp]

Found this link on the site from Lovejoy which is very good.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=14486" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[smileski]

the rep of 4 years has just resigned. there,s been a few people bandied my name about, but even though i make my mouth go, i dont think i,ve got the knowledge, or temperment to be a rep.,i want to stick up for my colleagues, i want to turn management inside out. i want to be THE MAN. but really, i dont think ive got what it takes to put the gaffers on their arse. how do you know what to say? a manager will be clued up, but i only know what ive heard on the floor or on here. would the union put me through a course, to face a manager that could turn me inside out, and tie me up in knots. our office is totally s**t, if i went as a rep, how could i protect someone who is going to get put on a stage 1 or 2. i really want to do this, but im so scared i,ll get shot down in flames, any advice from new cwu reps or ex reps or indeed hq, MUCH appreciated.

Try not to concentrate on putting managers '' on their arse'' mate, some of best reps have a decent relationship with there DOM's in my opinion.
You wont get anywhere by screaming and shouting all the time, and don't be fooled into thinking that managers will '' be clued up either!!''
Try to be calculated and measured in your negotiations and present your case well, if there is a problem, always try to offer a solution.
As others have said, you wont please everyone all of the time, but try to do what is best for the majority of the members.
Always listen to your members and never agree anything on there behalf wiyhout consulting them.
Your branch should get you onto a course as soon as possible, you will learn loads on this.
A agreements and procedures course will also provide you with copies of all the relevant documents you need.
The confidence will come, the feeling you get when you get your first 'little victory' is great.
Most of all try to enjoy the role, if you dont enjoy what you do it will not be as rewarding.
Good luck!!

[wtg79]

Never tell a manager you don't know a procedure or are unsure what to do. Never be pressured into giving an instant decision. If you are unsure at any time tell them you will clarify your position with branch/HQ and get back to them. If they know you dont know what to do - they will bluff and lie to you guaranteed!