1. ORGANISING INNOVATION Organising Workers in Ireland
Access Your Potential!
Eddie Higgins,
Executive Director,
EQUAL Ireland

2. Contents 1. Introductions: Self & Ireland 2. ICTU and SIPTU
3. Servicing Recruitment Organising
4. The Development of Strategic Organising
5. Some Conclusions & Food for Thought

3. Introductions: Self & Ireland EDDIE HIGGINS
Started Work for Guinness Brewery
Joined Trade Union
Elected Shop Steward
Elected Chief Steward
Appointed Full Time Union Negotiator
Appointed Strategic Development Co-Ordinator
Author of ‘Finding Our Voice Making it Heard’
Appointed EU Affairs Co-ordinator
Appointed Executive Director EQUAL Ireland

4. Introductions: Self & Ireland IRELAND
Population 4.4 million approx.
The Economy
Government: Coalition
Fine Gael Centre Right Labour Social Democrat
Billions in Debt – IMF/ECB/EU
Massive Foreign Inward Investment
US/German/Japan/UK and China
IT/Medical Devices/Pharmaceutoicals/eServices
Workforce 2.2 million approx.
Unemployment
2012 – 14.4%
2008 – 3.9%
Trade Union Membership Densisty
38.3% and increasing
Public Sector Very Strong Private Sector Weak
Multi Nationals Very Weak

5. ICTU and SIPTU ICTU Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Affiliations Almost All Unions
Operating in Two Jurisdictions
Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland
Recognised by both Governments Involved
SIPTU Services Industrial Professional Technical Union
General Union
Largest Trade Union on the Island
Almost 25% of all organised workers

6. Servicing Recruitment Organising
Servicing Main focus Representation
Existing Members
Organising Main Focus New Members
Servicing Organising
Representation of Members Recruitment of New Members
Representative Training & Training of Organisers
Education Research for Organising
Research for Negotiations
Recruitment more by Luck
than design
Resources aimed at Servicing
Examples
Telephone Poll of Negotiators Data Membership Records
Free Phone
Never Asked Never Invited
Visual Demonstration Liberty Hall

7. . The Development of Strategic Organising
Union Structure Branches Regions Geographic
Changes Required
Leadership
Resources
Attitude
Time
Mind Set Servicing not Promising
Phase One
Small allocation of resources
Materials
Communications with Branches/Planning
Phase Two
Establishment of Organising Unit
New Materials
Planning

8. . The Development of Strategic Organising
Union Structure Did not suit an Organising and Campaigning Union
Changes Required
Leadership Happening
Resources Being allocated
Attitude Changing
Time Being given
Structural Re-organisation
Mind Set Moving from Servicing…slowly
Phase Three
Structure reorganised on a Sectoral Basis
Organising Comes to the Centre
Substantial Resources allocated
Materials Updated Translated
Strategic Thinking and Planning

9. . The Development of Strategic Organising
Union Structure Sectoral
Current Operation
Strategic Organising
Housekeeping
Data Bank
Communications
Servicing
Mind Set Organising Campaigning
Servicing
Strategic Organising
Campaign Development
Researchers
Organisers
Less than 2 Years in operation

10. . The Development of Strategic Organising
Research Planning & Co-ordination
Resources Staffing &
Commitment
Objective Framework - Research
What’s the Dividend for the Union?
Is the Industry or Sector Sustainable?
What is the ‘Pay & Conditions’ environment like?
Is there an Historical Aspect?
What level of Difficulty in Organising will exist?
Local National Politics?
Community Activists?
Relegion?
Other Unions?
Ethical Trade?
Operational Plan
Executive Decision to Execute or not
ORGANISING FOR WINNING

11. . The Development of Strategic Organising
Research Planning & Co-ordination
Resources Staffing &
Commitment
The 6 Stage Campaign
1.Base Skills
Identifying Leaders
House Calls
Community Activity
2.Base Consolidation
Tasking and Testing Leaders
House Meetings Social Meetings
Engaging Family & Friends
Building Data Bank
Building Communications Network
3.Issues
Identify and Consolidate the Campaign Issues – Polling via Data Bank
4.Actions
Identify and Implement Decide Leadership of Actions Union or other?
5.Compression Pressure on the Employer(s) 6. Winning Justice & Fairness

12. . The Development of Strategic Organising
Research Planning & Co-ordination
Resources Staffing &
Commitment
Training
Leadership
Planning
Organising
Power
Communications
Not Industrial Law Not Grievance Procedures Not Negotiations
House or Community Setting Delivery by Union Organisers

13. Some Conclusions & Food for Thought
Research Planning & Co-ordination
Resources Staffing &
Commitment
Still Early Days
Number of Campaigns in place
Membership is Strong in Difficult Times
Still Learning
Our Story Our Experience
If Everyone is Responsible No One is Responsible
Ledership Resources Time
Like Recruits Like
Technology Helps

14. Thank you!