Delivering learning to Royal Mail staff

More than 200 workers at the Royal Mail Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre (HWDC) have recently been able to do courses through their union, thanks to their excellent union learning rep Parminder Kaur.

Now instead of taking classes in Room 1 one week and Room 2 the next, Parminder has persuaded the management to let her turn a defunct shop, near the cafeteria, into a dedicated learning centre for the 1,600 staff, with support from the Union Learning Fund to put in laptops and broadband.  The centre will provide a place to find information about courses and learning opportunities.   Workers can use it as a drop-in centre for specific courses or to do their own studies.

In a ceremony to officially open the centre, Billy Hayes, general secretary of the CWU communications union, said:

 "The CWU has over 1,000 ULRs like Parminder who are organising learning opportunities on a daily basis in workplaces around the country and they really are a credit to the union. Lifelong learning through trade unions has been a great example of the progressive work we do. It is a genuine" win-win" for employers and union members alike. Most of all, it demonstrates that where support and resources are provided for education and learning opportunities these can play a crucial role in maintaining a motivated, loyal and highly skilled workforce. "

Bob Lawrence, Head of International Communications, HWDC, said: "We are delighted to be able to continue our close partnership with our colleagues in the CWU in order to be able to offer HWDC people a brand new on site learning centre. The HWDC Management Team has always been fully supportive of the CWU ULRs based at HWDC and believes that the opening of our new HWDC Learning Centre will enable them to continue with the excellent work they are already doing to promote lifelong learning for all members of the HWDC community."    

Barry Francis, unionlearn regional manager SERTUC, said: "The union learning rep model, using volunteers in the workplace to act as advocates for learning, is a proven way to boost people's skills and qualifications.  unionlearn provides training and support for ULRs so they can be effective and give their friends and colleagues the confidence to tackle courses and improve their employability.  ULRs are the unsung heroes of industrial relations."

Joe Showler, CWU South East Regional learning project worker, said:  "Parminder has done excellent work in getting learning established and a part of the culture in the HWDC.  It is a large, multi-cultural workforce and Parminder has created good relations through the courses in English, maths and computer skills and by putting on social events, such as trips to Weymouth. The management has been very supportive and understands that the company as well as the staff stands to benefit.  Providing learning opportunities is seen as a core union service by the CWU." 

Parminder Kaur said: "Since I started working with the CWU, I have realised how effective unions can be! They are organisations that really help people and I am grateful to the management team at HWDC who are supporting us as well. When somebody talks to me about their learning needs, I try my hardest to help them and provide advice or signpost them to colleges if we can't provide the course ourselves. I am confident in the future we will bring even better and more varied courses that everyone will benefit from. Being a ULR is hard work but extremely rewarding."      

Also speaking at the ribbon-cutting event were Trish Lavelle, head of the CWU education & training and Dave Cunnington, International Operations Director for Royal Mail.