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can entail the appointment of contact persons to ensure that cooperation is structured and
continuous.
The different roles are truly different, and the joint efforts are based on common interests
for common good. The cooperation is not a negotiation process but an exchange of ideas,
of information, and of debates. It must rest on mutual respect and understanding.
There are different ways to establish cooperation between the political party and the trade
unions. Some people are active both in the trade union and in the party but in today’s
complex world few have time to engage actively in both.
To reach groups that are organized by trade unions that we do not cooperate with, we as
local politicians can organize seminars or meetings around issues that are relevant to and
prioritized by those trade unions. The unions’ views are important sources of information
for us.
HOW TO WORK WITH TRADE UNIONS AS A LOCAL POLITICAL
REPRESENTATIVE
Here are some ideas outlining how you can organize your contacts and cooperation with
trade unions:
•
Appoint a trade union contact person in your branch and make sure that you as
municipal councilors include and engage this person in your portfolio planning.
Use your common sense, and reach out to other contacts when necessary.
•
Contact the trade union’s representatives and members amongst the staff in the
municipal workplaces.
•
Map which trade union organizes in which municipal workplace and in your ward.
•
Network with Social Democratic party members that are active in trade unions.
•
Visit workplaces – not only during election campaigns but on a regular basis.Interact
with workers and discuss their issues and problems.
•
Make the roles clear and explain why you want the dialogue. Their
expectation of what you can do for them must be realistic.
•
Set up a joint committee to plan joint activities, to exchange experiences and to share
information.