ORGANISING Workplace problems 0 WORKPLACE PROBLEMS WORKPLACE PROBLEMS

ORGANISING • Workplace problems 0 WORKPLACE PROBLEMS

WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 2

Workplace problems are the fuel that drives organising. Many workers get involved because they want to help solve problems and improve conditions. WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 3

Examples of workplace problems • Salaries that are too low • Fear of HIV/AIDS • No collectively negotiated agreement • Lack of respect and poor morale WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 4

Describe what you know about the problems workers are facing. What have the workers done in the past to try to address problems? WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 5

Why are workplace problems important? WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 6

Why are workplace problems important? • Motivate workers to get involved. • Show that, together, we can make a difference. • The fuel that drives the union. • Win concrete improvements. WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 7

Be as specific as possible. WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 8

How can we make a problem more widely felt? How can we make a problem more deeply felt? How can we make a problem more “winnable”? WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 9

Communicate, educate and find a common cause. Appeal to the workers’ sense of justice and fairness. Break it down into smaller, more “winnable” pieces. WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 10

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Deeply felt problems are real Examples • HIV/AIDS stigma • Harassment • Workload and stress • Language and cultural conflicts in the workplace • Are these problems difficult to talk about? How can we discuss them more easily? • Are there any solutions? Sometimes giving a voice to the voiceless is the beginning of a solution. WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 12

If workers cannot talk openly about their problems… Use common allies - universities, NGOs, industry groups, organisations of concerned citizens - to take action rather than the union. Publish anonymous stories of workplace problems. Distribute at: • The workplace • Sporting or social events • Fairs and markets • Central business or transport locations WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 13

If we begin to organise around workplace problems too early, we could face retaliation. • We can risk losing, rather than gaining, momentum. • Even increased discussion among workers about problems can alert the employer. • Spend time learning about the problems so that we will be ready to act when the time is right. WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 14

Resolving problems never ends Once we resolve one problem, we look for another that is widely felt, deeply felt and potentially “winnable”. WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 15

ACTIVITY: Prioritising problems for organising Aim: To prioritise 1 -3 workplace problems. Tasks: Select a facilitator and timekeeper. Prioritise 1 -3 workplace problems that are widely felt, deeply felt and potentially “winnable”. Make sure that your problems are stated clearly for both the workers and the public. Prepare to share your ideas with the large group. WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 16

Anything else to discuss regarding workplace problems? WORKPLACE PROBLEMS 17