A thank you to our reps
Dear rep,
As the year draws to close, I wanted to send you a message to say thank you.
The last 12 months have been as much of a rollercoaster as 2020. As I write, there is significant uncertainty about the future – in the last week alone we have seen new restrictions, expanded COVID passes and a faster rollout of booster jabs.
We are already beginning to see that economic uncertainty is impacting on the sectors where members work, and we are monitoring the situation closely and raising issues in real time with ministers.
Whatever the future holds for COVID, our job remains clear: as a union we must concentrate on supporting you, as our frontline reps, and members – working together to protect jobs, bargain with employers, and improve standards for both employees and freelancers.
So thank you for being the superheroes at the frontline for our union: helping members, negotiating with employers, keeping people safe, and ensuring we protect jobs and livelihoods.
Succeeding together
This last year has involved continuing to adapt and adjust to new ways of working, whether that is finding the mute button at the right time on Zoom, or conducting union meetings on Teams.
Despite the challenges, we have delivered for members. Union Week in November showed that we can recruit digitally as well as in person. And from pay campaigns in Natural England and defence, to protecting jobs in aviation and live arts, Prospect and Bectu reps have been there for members when it matters.
In September, we launched new digital and online resources in our new reps’ hub to provide templates, advice and support for hybrid working.
Last month, I also set out my priorities for the union following my re-election as your general secretary from investing in reps, to improving resources for members, leading the way on net zero and remaining proud of our independence.
Facing the future
I hope that if you can take a break over Christmas that it is restful and rejuvenating. But I also know that many of our members will be working over the festive period helping to keep the lights on, entertain us and ensuring we can get around safely. Everything they do, often largely unrecognised, will all be on my mind this year.
2022 looks set to be an important year for our union, with many new challenges to tackle, I will say more about these in the New Year. However, for now, thank you – for your support, for your time and for your work ensuring members get the representation they need. We can be proud of what we have achieved together in 2021.
Mike Clancy
Prospect general secretary