The GWU shop steward/representatives' challenges to recruit new members

Abstract

The Maltese economy has moved sharply away from reliance on the manufacturing industry to service industries such as gaming and financial services that require a highly trained, flexible workforce. A marked increase inflexible jobs and the steady drop in jobs in the industrial sectors have changed the employment scenario. The manufacturing sector that had traditionally been characterised by a high union density has declined and generated a drop in enrolment of members. During this project, the writer tried to answer the following research questions:  Is the GWU still attached to the old traditions?  How can the GWU attract new members from different sectors of the work force?  What difficulty and challenges are the shop stewards finding to recruit new members in different sectors?  To what extent do shop stewards know how to promote the services that the GWU offers? Aims The main purpose of this study is to enhance the skills and competences that shop stewardsneed in order to attract new members. Shop stewards are considered the most useful assets that unions have in the field as unions struggle to recruit new members to make up for dwindling number caused by globalisation. This project explained:  The challenges that unions are facing in a globalised world;  A comparative analysis of the globalization scenario and the local scenario;  The culture and tradition underpinning the GWU;  The services that the GWU as a social organization offers to its representative and members;  The challenges the GWU shop stewards are facing in their attempts to recruit new members. Changes in the work place environment because of greater diversity has influenced delegates’ degree of control, and their ability to recruit new members. These changes call for gretaer preparation and training for union representatives as they need to possess the right skills and attitudes that can help them cope with this dynamic ever-changing environment.Shop stewards need to be continually vigilant and ready for remedial action. The union representative plays an important role in helping GWU to remain active and financially sustainable. Apart from the business concerns that it owns, it needs to recruit more members so that it would generate a steady revenue. The GWU as an organization has the moral obligation to ensure decent work conditions for its members and safeguard the rights of workers. As an organization the GWU, must remain loyal to its mission, and cultivate the image of honesty and trust so that potential members can convince themselves that the GWU would deliver its promises. In order to win potential members’ confidence and trust, the GWU should market its image in a positive way so that it would continue to attract new members and renovate itself. Now more than ever the Maltese labour market is registering the influx of with foreign workers, who introduce new cultures and values that are bound to impact the Maltese way of life. The GWU has the fundamental obligation to facilitate labour integration via the influence of its decision-making, by adopting inclusionarymeasures that can help promote solidarity and tolerance.While the GWU must not forget the past and its origins, on the other hand, the same GWU must evolve and adapt to an ever-changing globalised world. Adapting to changes in society does not mean disposing of the high principles and values that havet shaped the culture and traditions of the GWU, the largest union in Malta and inspired workers’ trust since its foundation in 1943. However, loyalty to its cherished values is important, the GWU needs to avoid getting stuck in the past as this would undermine the ability and willingness of the union representatives to change outdated mind sets and behaviour so that they can respond effectively to the new dynamics that affect the economy, the job markets, changing work practices and labour legislation. This is why continuous professional development is so essential in helping union representatives upgrade their skills and competences.