Member

I argue that there is a public interest in strengthening sectoral collective bargaining that goes beyond material concerns. Some of the frustration and anger being expressed in our communities is rooted in a sense that ordinary working people have been locked out of rooms where crucial decisions are made about their lives. Many people feel powerless, ripped off and disregarded. Rebuilding collective bargaining offers an important opportunity to develop the skills that are necessary to any healthy democracy, skills that I learned through trade union education as a young trade union rep: how to represent, how to lead, how to negotiate and, critically, how to resolve conflict and come to agreement.