Volunteer Trade Union Organisers

Trade union organising starts in the workplace.

CAIWU is looking for volunteer trade union organisers who want to work directly with workers, support them to organise collectively and help build a stronger union across workplaces.

As a volunteer organiser, you will be involved in the practical work of organising. That means listening to workers, understanding the issues they face, bringing colleagues together and helping members develop the confidence and organisation needed to take an active role in their union.

What does organising involve?

Every workplace is different. Organising can begin with a conversation with a worker about a problem at work and develop into bringing colleagues together around an issue that affects them collectively.

As a Volunteer Trade Union Organiser, you could be involved in:

• Speaking with workers and identifying workplace issues

• Recruiting new members and helping grow CAIWU within workplaces

• Supporting members who want to organise or unionise their workplace

• Encouraging members to become more active within the union

• Helping workers organise around shared workplace concerns

• Attending workplace and members’ meetings

• Supporting CAIWU campaigns and collective actions

• Building relationships with workers and maintaining contact with organised workplaces

The issues workers organise around can vary considerably, from pay and working hours to workloads, health and safety, job security, equality, dignity and treatment at work.

The kind of organiser we are looking for

You do not need to arrive as an experienced trade union organiser.

We are interested in people who are committed to workers organising collectively and who are willing to learn how effective workplace organisation is built.

Organising requires patience, initiative and resilience. You will need to be comfortable approaching and speaking with people from different backgrounds, listening carefully to their concerns and building relationships based on trust.

You should also be prepared to work as part of a team while taking initiative when circumstances require it.

Previous experience in trade union organising, campaigning, community organising, activism or recruitment can be valuable, but commitment and a willingness to learn are equally important.

Learn by organising

CAIWU will provide successful volunteers with an induction and training in our working practices.

You will also have the opportunity to develop your skills through practical experience alongside CAIWU organisers, members and workplace representatives.

This is an opportunity to learn how workers are organised in practice: how conversations become workplace organisation, how members become active participants in their union and how collective workplace issues can develop into campaigns.

Help build worker-led organisation

The purpose of organising is not simply to increase membership numbers.

Strong trade unions depend on workers being organised, informed and actively involved in what happens in their workplaces and their union.

By volunteering as an organiser, you will contribute to building that organisation while developing practical skills in communication, campaigning, recruitment, workplace organising and working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

You will also gain direct experience of grassroots trade unionism and the workplace issues facing the workers CAIWU represents.

Become a Volunteer Trade Union Organiser

If you are interested in organising workers and contributing to CAIWU’s work, we would like to hear from you.

Tell us why you are interested in trade union organising and about any relevant workplace, trade union, campaigning, community or volunteering experience you have.

Please send your CV and covering letter to: communications@caiwu.org.uk