New funding will help get learning on the collective bargaining agenda

The RCN has secured funding from the Union Learning Fund to support the development and negotiation of learning agreements with employers.

Learning agreements support existing recognition and facilities agreements by putting learning on the collective bargaining agenda. Irene Murray, RCN Learning and Development Facilitator, is leading the development work and creating a model learning agreement. “The agreements set out the roles and responsibilities of the employer, the union and learning representatives in ensuring members get paid time off for mandatory training and professional development,” she said. “They ensure unions have a voice in decisions about learning and development which is particularly critical at a time of economic uncertainty and organisational change.”

The RCN will build on existing examples of how it works with other unions to negotiate learning agreements in the NHS and the independent sector. Nicky Clarkson, RCN Assistant Officer in Nottingham, will be identifying employers and working with staff and activists to negotiate agreements with employers. She said: “We want to come out and talk to any branch or group of activists who want to know more about starting the process for getting these agreements in place.”

For more information on protecting learning in your workplace using learning agreements, email irene.murray@rcn.org.uk or nicky.clarkson@rcn.org.uk