Lost in Translation

Last week I completed the second week of my fortnight long residency of the capital as the final session of the Organising Academy Programme foe Officers and Staff took place.

This course has been particularly interesting and enjoyable to deliver as there was an interesting mix of unions - Unison, GMB, Prospect, Amicus, NATFHE and PCS and job roles amongst the attendees. It was pleasing that most on the course got something out of the training and were committed to putting what had been covered into practice.

The Programme for Officers and Staff is a major part of the Organising Academy's development as unions look to give their officers an appreciation of the Organising approach and the skills to build it into their existing roles and duties and the addressing the challenge of puuting Organising into all that unions do.

Friday had an international flavour. In the morning I gave a presentation on the work of the Organising Academy to a delegation of Iraqi trade unionists. Hearing at first hand of the violence and intimidation they had (and continue to) faced placed into context the challenges that we in the UK deal with. The group showed a great deal of interest in the work of the Academy and were keen to get hold of materials that we use to deliver training.

During the afternoon, alomng with a number of TUC colleagues I met a delegation from RENGO the Japanese Trade Union Confederation. Again, we group were very interested in the work of the Academy and the materials. They asked for copies to be sent over - just the materials, not alas the Organising Academy Director. I'd fancied myself as a TUC version of Bill Murray in the wonderful film, Lost in Translation - without of course the flirting with Scarlett Johansson!!!