REGIONAL ORGANISERS AND THEIR ROLE WITHIN ATCU.

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The role of the Regional Organiser is a vital component to the operations of this union. They are, for a better word, the ‘thread’ that binds members, branches and the union. We can only give you a flavour of what the role of the Regional Organiser as the role is not exhaustive but organic, in other words forever developing

As the title states, they organise and thus recruit. This is done by:

• talking to members and future members
• arrange open meetings
• recruitment drives
• organising local and national campaigns
• meeting with management
• explain what the objectives of the ATCU are, who we are

Through recruitment drives Regional Organisers will liaise with the branch and members in order to co-ordinate effective campaigns. They create literature and posters which is specific to an area or depot. We need to understand, members do not always come to us, we have to go to them.

Regional Organisers have to be inventive, searching new and creative ways to get our message across to prospective members. It is their area, they know what the members want, what the members will fight for.

Running in parallel to this, Regional Organisers administer and represent members at disciplinary and grievances. We have some of the ‘best’ Regional Organisers representing members throughout the country but we will never be satisfied, forever striving to have everyone being the ‘best’ and that includes cascading the knowledge to members.

Normally, one or two members would be invited to an education course. He/she would be one person with the knowledge. This is not good enough.

We are arranging our first educational seminar for Regional Organisers which will be conducted on employment law. Regional Organisers will also be trained to pass this knowledge on.

It is the intention that future branch meetings will allocate the Regional Organiser time to instruct members on the matters of what they have learned. Simply, we want members to know more than managers and through this process a climate that protects each friend and colleague will develope.

Regional Organisers also attend Organisers meetings. As we stated in the minutes of the Organisers meeting held in June 2008, we want to remove the old antiquated way of administering the function of the union that stifles the flow of the members’ voice.

“The Organising Committee will be comprised of Regional Organisers who will meet on an agreed date.

This structure would effectively remove an unnecessary and costly tier which was formally known as the Executive.

The benefit of this is that Regional Organisers are in constant and direct contact with members and Train Operating Companies. Along with new and innovative ways of membership inclusion, Regional Organisers awareness of members concerns and industry specifics will be vital in any decision making process”.

Every Regional Organiser has a commitment to your union and you as a member. This is shown through their tireless dedication, without any financial remuneration, to the improvement of your well being in the workplace.