ATL

What reps really achieve

At a time when education is going through great upheaval, Report explains why ATL's reps are more important than ever before

Reps act as a vital link between ATL and its members in the workplace; they provide advice to colleagues, negotiate with managers and represent members. Reps playing specialist roles also help to keep members' working environments safe and get members access to training and development.

During big campaigns like the recent one on pensions, the work of ATL's reps was key, whether it was simply putting up a poster with the latest information on the staff noticeboard or organising workplace meetings and delegations of members to attend a lobby or march. And with national pay and conditions under attack, threats to the workload agreement, and more schools choosing to break away from the local authority and bring in their own working practices, reps provide a much-needed voice for members at workplace level. In short, ATL cannot support and protect the profession without them.

Last year's winner of ATL's workplace rep of the year award, Paul Coyne, from Ralph Allen School in Bath, explains how he sees the role: "I like to help people when they are not sure about issues, or how they are being managed or treated. Often it's a case of giving a little bit of reassurance.

If they are more confident and can see a way through a difficulty as a result, that's my reward."

The winner of the outstanding union learning rep (ULR) of the year, Maxine Bradshaw of Ysgol Llywelyn in Rhyl, says: "We offer members training they might not ordinarily be able to access. What made me want to do it was that I'd received such fantastic training myself with the union.

"My branch was prepared to be totally reasonable on what level of commitment I was able to make. They pretty much said that school and family life come first ... but if somewhere in the pecking order you can find a place for ATL, that's brilliant."

Vince Usher from Kenton School, Newcastle, 2011 health and safety rep of the year, describes his role as largely being about common sense, but no less vital for it: "The role, to a great extent, is being an adviser, but you can save lives."

Paul Coyne concludes: "I would certainly recommend becoming a rep. It's good to have a focal person who's prepared to say things on behalf of their colleagues."

Facilities time

Unfortunately, not everyone understands the role reps perform. In the last 12 months, there has been some talk in the press, and from MPs and organisations like the TaxPayers' Alliance, about the cost to employers of providing facilities time, which allows reps time off to perform specific duties related to their role. ATL, along with the other unions and the TUC, is working hard to defend the rights of reps and to explain what they contribute to the workplace.

For example, the most recent research into the contribution made by union reps was done by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and showed up to £43 million saved for employers and the Exchequer in reducing the number of employment tribunal cases. It also found that union reps significantly reduced the number of working days lost to workplace injury and illness. The TUC's own figures suggest that the work of reps also results in overall productivity gains worth between £4 billion and £12 billion, and in workplaces with an active ULR, employees are eight times more likely to receive the training they need.

Last chance to nominate!

Does your ATL rep stand out? Maybe they have led a campaign to improve conditions in your workplace? Or created new training opportunities for members? Is your workplace a safer environment because of their work? Perhaps they have encouraged student and newly qualified members to get involved?

After the amazing response to the ATL Rep Awards 2011, this is your last chance to nominate a rep who you feel deserves recognition for what they have achieved over the last year.

Nominees should represent the best aspects of each of the following roles:

• outstanding workplace rep

• outstanding ATL Future activist (works closely with student and NQ members)

• outstanding health and safety rep

• outstanding union learning rep (ULR).

The closing date for nominations is Monday 23 January 2012. Visit the Rep Awards webpage now to nominate someone you feel deserves recognition.