Community is working to ensure new recruits to the Mitie Overseas escort service can benefit from the protection of belonging to the union’s Justice and Custodial Sector.
Mitie Care & Custody recently announced that it was recruiting an additional 2,000 new employees to its overseas detainee and prisoner escort services.
Ash Perham Sims, Branch Secretary of Mitie Overseas Branch, said:
“When Mitie’s announcement was made, I immediately recognised the need for our union to engage with every last one of those new recruits.
“Working with Jason Savage, National Executive (NEC) member for London and Branch Secretary at Mitie in Heathrow, and Regional Secretary David Weeks, we agreed on a plan for the Reps and regional support for our organising campaign.
“Mitie Overseas has faced many challenges recently – including a high turnover of staff leaving the workplace, changes in legislation which affects the work we do, and a revolving door of managers – so this was an opportunity for us to bring the benefits of joining a union to every new recruit, ensuring that the union is visible across the workforce, and strengthening our branch.
“The company’s induction days provided the perfect platform for us to connect, exchange ideas, and create a sense of belonging amongst our newest members.
“As well as supporting new individual members, our campaign is about building the strength in our branch to be able to stand together collectively in the face of challenges.
“After attending the training courses for new recruits held during January and February, we have already seen an increase of 34% in membership to our branch.
“The campaign doesn’t stop there. We have plans to support our existing Reps and identify new ones within the branch.
“Maximising the potential of all the different Rep roles, such as Health & Safety, Equality Reps and Union Learning Reps, gives every one of our members a voice, and ensures that the union is truly representative of the diverse needs and concerns within our workforce.”
If you want to find out more about this campaign, or about getting organised in your workplace, please get in touch by emailing organising@community-tu.org
Community : the union for justice and custodial sector workers
Community is the union for justice and custodial sector workers, representing thousands of members whose work is vital to our justice system and to public safety. Our members work for a range of organisations in the sector. We represent workers at private prisons, secure immigration centres, young offender institutions, courts, in prisoner escorting and much more. We are a modern trade union, campaigning for a better working world.
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2024