Prospect at TUC Cymru General Council
Prospect was represented at the latest TUC Cymru General Council meeting by Jane Lancastle and Sarah Everson, helping ensure members’views are reflected in discussions on organising, campaigning, equality and workplace issues across Wales.
The meeting, held in July, brought together trade union representatives from across Wales to discuss workplace organising, political engagement, equality, member participation and social partnership.
Workplace organising
A key theme was the importance of strengthening workplace organising and engaging members who are not currently active in their unions.
While digital campaigning remains valuable, delegates agreed that face-to-face conversations are essential for building trust, understanding workplace concerns and encouraging participation. There was also discussion about tailoring campaigns to local workplace issues and responding effectively to emerging challenges, including far-right narratives.
Prospect at TUC Cymru General Council
Prospect was represented at the latest TUC Cymru General Council meeting by Jane Lancastle and Sarah Everson, helping ensure members’views are reflected in discussions on organising, campaigning, equality and workplace issues across Wales.
The meeting, held in July, brought together trade union representatives from across Wales to discuss workplace organising, political engagement, equality, member participation and social partnership.
Workplace organising
A key theme was the importance of strengthening workplace organising and engaging members who are not currently active in their unions.
While digital campaigning remains valuable, delegates agreed that face-to-face conversations are essential for building trust, understanding workplace concerns and encouraging participation. There was also discussion about tailoring campaigns to local workplace issues and responding effectively to emerging challenges, including far-right narratives.
United Cymru campaign
The General Council reviewed plans for the next phase of the United Cymru campaign, which us running from September to May ahead of local council elections.
Priorities include:
- Building stronger relationships with workers and communities
- Improving digital organising
- Using polling and engagement tools more effectively
- Developing evidence-led campaigns based on workers’ priorities.
Sarah Everson updated delegates on Prospect’s involvement, highlighting successful member engagement activity and the alignment between Prospect’s strategy and wider TUC Cymru objectives.
The campaign has already generated around 565,000 engagements, directly engaged 1,000 people and built a mailing list of around 700 contacts. Activity has taken place in around 100 workplaces, with particularly strong engagement from younger workers and local communities.
Equality Forums
Preparations are underway for the next round of TUC Cymru Equality Forums covering:
- LGBTQ+ workers
- Women workers
- Welsh language
- Race equality
- Young workers
- Disabled workers
Discussions focused on developing equality leadership and ensuring equality issues remain central to organising and campaigning work.
Engagement with the Senedd
The Council discussed trade union engagement with the Senedd and current policy developments. While affiliates expressed different views on the best approach, there was broad agreement that engagement should remain constructive and focused on securing positive outcomes for working people.
The importance of contributing to consultations and protecting trade union activists was also emphasised.
Supporting young activists
Encouraging greater participation from young workers was another priority. Delegates discussed training programmes, development opportunities and other initiatives aimed at building confidence, skills and future trade union leaders.
Social partnership
Members raised concerns about the effectiveness of social partnership arrangements, including community engagement, procurement, outsourcing, organisational change and employer relationships with recognised unions.
There were calls for greater worker involvement in wellbeing reporting and clearer communication on progress against wellbeing commitments.
Priorities for the months ahead
The General Council agreed to focus on:
- Strengthening workplace organising
- Engaging inactive members
- Making greater use of data and evidence in campaigns
- Increasing participation from young workers
- Maintaining constructive political engagement
- Expanding member involvement in wellbeing and social partnership work
- Supporting ongoing industrial disputes and pay campaigns.
The meeting highlighted a shared commitment across Welsh unions to strengthen workplace organising, increase member participation and ensure workers remain at the heart of campaigning and policy development.
