New Prospect Defence Sector launched at inaugural AGM
The new Prospect Defence Sector was launched at its inaugural AGM on Thursday, 1 February, which was attended by nearly 30 senior Prospect reps working in defence.
The Prospect defence Sector with Maria Eagle MP (centre)
The newly formed sector builds upon the successful work of Prospect’s Defence Industry Group, which was a looser coalition of relevant branches, and follows significant growth and activity across the defence industry for our union.
Bob King, Prospect National Secretary, who will be overseeing the new Defence Sector, said: “Our vision is to work with all the Defence Sector branches, public and private, to campaign, organise and negotiate for fair and equitable treatment for all who make up the Sector.
“We will listen and be led by our members and reps, who do vital work, in how they want the sector to operate and go forward.”
The sector AGM, held at New Prospect House, saw the formation of the new Defence Sector Committee and the election of Helen Carp (AWE) as President and Lee Attwells (MOD: Defence Infrastructure Organisation) as Vice-President.
During the day, the Committee also had its first discussions on drawing up an agenda to shape the immediate and future work of the sector.
Tackling sexual harassment
One of those priorities will be tackling sexual harassment and discrimination across the sector and this was highlighted by Sue Ferns, Prospect Senior Deputy General Secretary, who shared some of the key findings of a recent Prospect survey on sexual harassment across defence.
“You will all know that as a union we have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment. I am sure that I am talking here to a roomful of allies, but I think you need to know what it is that we’re confronting,” she told the AGM.
Following Sue, Jessica Norris, Prospect Negotiations Officer, led a presentation about her experiences of tackling sexual harassment in the energy sector, primarily through a pilot training programme for reps and by working locally in partnership with employers. It is hoped a similar campaign will be rolled out in defence.
Many of the AGM delegates also shared experiences of sexual harassment in their workplaces, whether they had been personally targeted, witnessed it, dealt with it in personal cases or had knowledge of how employers had failed to appropriately punish perpetrators.
Shadow Defence Minister
A highlight of the AGM was a keynote speech and talk with Maria Eagle MP, the Shadow Defence Minister.
During the extremely busy day, there were also updates given on strategy and campaigns; rep development and sustainability and on industrial relations.
Looking ahead, Bob King said, “From specialised tutelage for the personal and professional development of reps, to engagement with politicians and employers, the Defence Sector will give us the resources to deliver for our members.
“Our successes in mobilising AWE in taking industrial action, raising sexual harassment in the MOD to the EHRC and forming coalitions of interests for members. This is just the beginning of what the Defence Sector can achieve.”
He added: “In coming together, you don’t always win everything you want, but if you don’t, you have already lost.”
