1. Communications session

2. What we will be doing in this session ?
Why communicate?
Member and steward preferences and behaviours
How you communicate with members and each other
How you can improve communications and how CSP HQ can help

3. Big Picture
What the CSP says…

4. Why be effective communicators?
Underpin our organising strategy – build the power and influence of the CSP
Boost member involvement in wider campaigns in their communities
Raising the profile of trade union issues within the CSP & CSP profile in the wide trade union movement

5. Why be effective communicators
Demonstrate the value of being a member of the CSP and the work you do as reps
Share intelligence on effective collective bargaining, campaigning and influencing
Motivate and equip members and reps to deliver for themselves

6. Barriers – big picture
National media 'captured' by corporate interests
Westminster government not pro-Union
Negative stereo types and myths about unions
But objective conditions that weaken unions
Cutting through the noise / info overload
Less face-to-face contacts with members, fragmented workplaces, workloads

7. Opportunities – big picture
Social media and spread of info tech – bypass Big Media cheaply and create horizontal networks
Potentially greater leverage at local regional level – devolution, more friendly local media
Changing union membership more like us
Union and professional body

8. Understanding your Audience

9. CSP Member communication preferences
preferred channel for two way communications
Not big on social media – but growing: 22,000 csp Twitter account, most will be members
Mix of channels is best strategy

10. What do members like? Professional issues – of course!
Pay, downbanding, pensions, but also work life balance (maternity rights)
Employment advice eg 'Advice Line' in Frontline
Examples of success, local and national
Members 'doing it for themselves' – including interviews with reps

11. Stewards behaviours, preferences
Face to face (with SNO)
Steward specific comms via icsp, Stewards News but only minority read / access them regularly
Nearly all on Facebook, 4 in 10 on Twitter
BUT only small minority use social media for union activity

12. Social media and stewards – fast facts
Of those who use Twitter / Facebook
83 per cent follow /like members in their trust board
41 per cent follow / like other csp stewards
22 per cent follow other trade unionists / campaigners

13. Common themes Information overload Lack of time
Want more succinct / action based info
Dissatisfied with icsp and CSP website
Generally feel getting sufficient info on issues that matter to them

14. Plans underway Means to communicate:
Revamping icsp / CSP website – 2017
Social Media – Facebook/whatsapp pilots
What to communicate:
Workplace wins
Local reporting
New reps

15. Session You said… Why communicate as a steward? With whom? Share info
Raise profile
To be more effective
Gather feedback / opinions from members
Negotiations
Coordinate with other unions
Raise concerns
With whom?

16. Session You said… With whom? Members Management Other reps
CSP – comms dept, SNO, training staff, (new) regional engagement officers and organisers
Patients
Staff side
Politicians
CCGs

17. Session Are we effective? Barriers To be continued… Time
Lack of face-to-face with members
Lack of burning issues

18. Communicating – your members

19. Things you could do - weekly
Use - icsp ‘messaging’, internal system and face-to-face where possible
‘Pro-active’ comms – reflect back what members are telling you share actions taken for members;
Pass it on – share CSP relevant info (briefings, Frontline articles, )

20. Communicating - wider reps network, membership

21. Things you could do - weekly
5 min scanning the CSP weekly ebulletin
5 min checking into your icsp reps' network
1 tweet / retweet on employment matters

22. Things you could do - monthly
1 comment on CSP website news story
1 brief posting on your icsp reps' network
1 petition signed, letter sent to MP / AM or other small action promoted by ERUS, CSP affiliated orgs or TUC

23. Things you could do - annually
1 letter or quote supplied to frontline, or your local media
Attend 1 TUC-backed public event (or 1 or more other members attendance secured)

24. Key contacts
Frontline – letters and suggestions for stories *
Stewards News –
@going_to_work
* CSP website – log in and comment on any news item, Like It or Tweet

25. Tom Gill EMAIL gillt@csp.org.uk TWITTER @mrtomgill