Professional

Voice of the workforce

Organising, international recruitment, and an update on working laws were on the agenda for the first SoR Rep Summit

The role of a union rep is vital in any profession, providing a much-needed voice for their peers, and acting as the key link between the union and the workforce. 

For the Society of Radiographers, all reps are elected by the members and answerable to them. Their role is to represent the members’ interests to the employer, on issues including on-call payments, grading, or during disciplinary hearings. 

SoR’s union activities are one of the main reasons why a radiographer might join the SoR, so the role of the reps cannot be understated. Last month, the SoR’s union reps gathered in London for the inaugural Rep Summit on Friday, 9 November. 

Taking place at the Friends House venue in Euston, the summit was an opportunity for the Society’s representatives to gather for a series of lectures and sessions, offering important updates and essential information on the union work of the Society. 

Dean Rogers, SoR's director of industrial strategy and member relations said: “This was a pilot for what we expect to become an annual event – a second opportunity in the year for our reps from across the UK to come together after our Annual Delegate Conference in April. We know not all reps can get to that event so a second opportunity to engage directly with each other and our officer team’s useful. It’s important we remember the Society part of our name.

“We also want to make the event a little bit different – a combination of celebrating some of our successes mixed with updates and information sharing, alongside a chance for reps to tell us how we’re doing and what help and support they need. This can then feed into our planning for the new year.

 “Our aim is to make sure all of our local leaders are as informed as possible, but also have as many opportunities as possible to inform and shape what we are doing nationally. Our level of engagement with members is the SoR’s greatest strength and the Rep Summit is another change to utilise this strength.”

Sessions on the agenda ranged from a talk on organising and recruitment strategy for the union side of the society, hosted by SoR head of industrial relations Leandre Archer (pictured above), and a lecture on international recruitment from Dean Rogers, executive director of industrial strategy and member relations. 

Other sessions included an update on working laws from employment solicitor Jane Moorman from Valemus Law, and a health and safety session focussed on asbestos at work with Steve White.