The benefits of collectivising individual industrial matters

Individual issues such as low pay and health and safety concerns in the workplace can come from different angles, which can sometimes be confusing for workplace representatives across all different roles. Reps weigh up the different industrial matters coming to them and try to prioritise which issue to tackle first. 

Collectivising, when it comes to issues in the workplace, looks at how an issue impacts a group of people, and how Community Union’s workplace reps play a key role in concentrating individual matters into one consolidated issue. The consolidated issue would then be taken to the employer and looked at in depth to ensure the problem is dealt with as early as possible.  

Collectivising industrial matters yields numerous benefits, notably: 

1. Enhanced bargaining power – When members and workers stand together on an industrial issue that they deeply care about, a united front is far more noticeable and harder to ignore. The members who stand together on a similar platform can also pool resources and support, increasing leverage for trade unions to negotiate more effectively with employers. A strong collective voice on an issue can result in better terms and conditions in their workplaces.
2. Reduced stigma and improved social cohesion – There are long-term successes of collectivising individual industrial matters. Individuals who work together to address issues contribute a sense of belonging and like-mindedness, which is valuable for issues individuals face. The dynamics of the workforce, including morale and work satisfaction, increase as a result due to stigma being reduced. Stigma is reduced because individuals who collectively share their experiences create an environment where discussing and addressing industrial issues becomes more comfortable. Over time, a healthier working environment is built up due to the increase in confidence in bringing collective industrial matters forward.
3. Equality of opportunity for problem-solving – Bringing together a collective industrial issue brings a broader and more diverse perspective as the process involves individuals from different backgrounds, experiences and expertise. By bringing together a mutual front of individuals from a variety of settings on a sole issue, Community Union members tie together and marry up different problem-solving techniques, which can enhance efforts to find solutions to challenges within the workplace.  

The above list is not exclusive to why it is beneficial to collectivise individual industrial matters, but the overarching theme of bringing together colleagues to address workplace concerns is about taking ownership. Community Union members feel more involved in the decision-making process, which helps them understand that they have a voice to address issues and provide better outcomes for their colleagues. 

If you want to learn more about how you can organise your workplace, please get in touch by emailing Community Union’s Organising Department – organising@community-tu.org.  

If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.