What is a Divisional Representative (Substitute)?

[Jaggs]

Does anyone know what the role of Divisional Representative (Substitute) involves?

I've received my ballot paper for the election of this role in the Midlands but it doesn't say what this role actually does so I've no way of deciding which of the candidates might be best suited for it and so worth me voting for.

[tramssirhc]

The substitute divisional rep is cover for the divisional rep. The divisional rep is your interface at the ROD level, so your managers managers manager. The CWU operates a strict hierarchy so the chances are you'll never have had any dealings with the divisional rep. It's a position that will be filled by a preferred candidate, someone who will have been groomed for it. Look at the time the candidates have spent avoiding our jobs and how long they have held their current positions. Most will be area reps. If you do vote you'll be amongst a minority turnout. The turnout for these positions is embarrassing. I'd be ashamed to claim to represent anyone with support these positions get.

[Jaggs]

The substitute divisional rep is cover for the divisional rep. The divisional rep is your interface at the ROD level, so your managers managers manager. The CWU operates a strict hierarchy so the chances are you'll never have had any dealings with the divisional rep. It's a position that will be filled by a preferred candidate, someone who will have been groomed for it. Look at the time the candidates have spent avoiding our jobs and how long they have held their current positions. Most will be area reps. If you do vote you'll be amongst a minority turnout. The turnout for these positions is embarrassing. I'd be ashamed to claim to represent anyone with support these positions get.

Thanks for the reply. Just a follow up question, when they get to the level of Divisional rep are they still RM employees who get permanent release or are they CWU employees?

[tramssirhc]

The divisional reps are employees who are granted full time release witn no loss of pay including all supplements, night rates etc.

[ted_e_bear]

The divisional reps are employees who are granted full time release witn no loss of pay including all supplements, night rates etc.

Under the new ownership I wonder if that's.......for now

[Valentina@1]

RM got CWU in pocket,I’m starting to belive that they’ll release reps on full pay in exchange for our terms & conditions.

Sad times

[Valentina@1]

RM got CWU in pocket,I’m starting to belive that they’ll release reps on full pay,also use payroll for subs in exchange for our terms & conditions.

Sad times

[tramssirhc]

The divisional reps are employees who are granted full time release witn no loss of pay including all supplements, night rates etc.

Under the new ownership I wonder if that's.......for now

The control of the supposedly independent trade union will continue as it is to the employers benefit. Most trade unions have some form of full time release. The CWU is unusual in having so many. The real issue is how the CWU governs the industrial relations set up. No representative should be 20 or 30 years into full time release. There should be a time limit on the period they can hold a full time release position. The RMT limit their periods in office. That can only happen if the members change the rules of the union.

[Jaggs]

The divisional reps are employees who are granted full time release witn no loss of pay including all supplements, night rates etc.

Under the new ownership I wonder if that's.......for now

The control of the supposedly independent trade union will continue as it is to the employers benefit. Most trade unions have some form of full time release. The CWU is unusual in having so many. The real issue is how the CWU governs the industrial relations set up. No representative should be 20 or 30 years into full time release. There should be a time limit on the period they can hold a full time release position. The RMT limit their periods in office. That can only happen if the members change the rules of the union.

Having spoken to my office rep today it appears that this vacancy has come about as someone has retired after being a divisional rep for 33 years. There is no way someone should have a position where they don't do the frontline job for that long

[Sean06]

The divisional reps are employees who are granted full time release witn no loss of pay including all supplements, night rates etc.

Under the new ownership I wonder if that's.......for now

The control of the supposedly independent trade union will continue as it is to the employers benefit. Most trade unions have some form of full time release. The CWU is unusual in having so many. The real issue is how the CWU governs the industrial relations set up. No representative should be 20 or 30 years into full time release. There should be a time limit on the period they can hold a full time release position. The RMT limit their periods in office. That can only happen if the members change the rules of the union.

Having spoken to my office rep today it appears that this vacancy has come about as someone has retired after being a divisional rep for 33 years. There is no way someone should have a position where they don't do the frontline job for that long

Why not surely the more experience the better.

[tramssirhc]

The divisional reps are employees who are granted full time release witn no loss of pay including all supplements, night rates etc.

Under the new ownership I wonder if that's.......for now

The control of the supposedly independent trade union will continue as it is to the employers benefit. Most trade unions have some form of full time release. The CWU is unusual in having so many. The real issue is how the CWU governs the industrial relations set up. No representative should be 20 or 30 years into full time release. There should be a time limit on the period they can hold a full time release position. The RMT limit their periods in office. That can only happen if the members change the rules of the union.

Having spoken to my office rep today it appears that this vacancy has come about as someone has retired after being a divisional rep for 33 years. There is no way someone should have a position where they don't do the frontline job for that long

No there is not. A proper independent rank and file led trade union would never allow it to happen. The candidates could do ug themselves by saying they'd only hold the position for 5 years and then stand down. As for the apologists for the CWU who claim 'its about experience'. It's not. It's about a boys club where they protect their cushy lives. Anyone steps out of line and they get kicked out of the rancid gang.