Bread and... roses too
Stephen Bubb charts a pilgrim's progress to the City of Better Relations...
The dramatic rise in influence of the third sector since the 1990s has aroused a feeling of suspicion in some sections of society. Organisations such as acevo have been accused of being the ‘weapon of choice’ in undermining the welfare state, sometimes of herding the sector towards a point where we risk losing our independence in order to sit at the parents’ table of public service provision. These most ardent naysayers are misplaced in their fears.
One of the most interesting things about the third sector is its diversity. It is difficult to define what a ‘normal’ third sector organisation is, just as it is equally difficult for politicians to articulate what Britishness is. This can exaggerate some trade unions’ anxieties. However, these differences make the third sector so invaluable (and it is what makes Britain so exciting). The third sector is neither lapdog nor Trojan horse. Third sector service provision will not tear down the welfare state and throw people into soup kitchens. Equally, we aren’t prepared to kowtow to funders if it harms the communities that we assist. The benefit of third sector organisations is that their individual goals are usually narrow, allowing them to accept working with all necessary organisations, cutting through the thick jungle of partisan baggage that often undermines public service improvements.
Welcome to the jungle
Recently acevo launched a report on the relations between trade unions and the third sector. Our jungle guide, Nita Clarke provided us with a path that she had uncovered as a result of her time hunting with neighbouring tribes (Nita was a longtime official before going to work in No. 10 for Tony Blair on Government and union relations. She now runs the IPA (Involvement and Participation Association)). In our quest to uncover the lost city of Better Labour Relations, famous for its healthy and flourishing civil society we formed a League. Reacting, the bravest warriors in the land assembled at No. 11 Downing Street, where I was joined by famed leaders, including Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector; TomWatson, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State; Keith Sonnet, Deputy General Secretary of Unison; Clare Tickell, chief executive of NCH; Nita Clarke; as well as numerous footsoldiers of society.
Nita Clarke’s report, The Way Ahead, highlighted how past actions and future fears had allowed the tribes of unions and the third sector to foster misgivings. Mistrust and lack of unity has allowed the roads to Better Labour Relations to become blocked by the enveloping thickets of conflict or pillaged by private interests. Many union elders witnessed firsthand the shift in public services to private and third sector providers and developed animosity towards our tribe. Some go as far as to suggest that third sector groups are a tool for undermining the welfare state or that we are unqualified to provide more than niche or specialist services. As I argued earlier, these fears are misplaced, although as Nita’s work highlights that there is significant scope for improving employment practices in the sector.
Equally, there have been concerns from the third sector tribe that past skirmishes from unions to stem the transference of public services to our sector has made some of our chieftains wary of improving links for fears that it could militarise internal criticism, affecting their organisational cohesiveness. Many groups feel that the unions provide an outdated ‘offer’ and do not do enough to address the specific characteristics of the third sector or its staff.
The Way Ahead
The Way Ahead helped to rally the troops at No. 11. Nita’s insights highlighted how past concerns can be overcome and how our differing skills but progressive values can make both the third sector and unions far more effective at serving communities. We were reminded how the third sector should be seen as a better alternative to the private sector during our journey.We were taught how trade unions could summon pools of knowledge on industrial relations to protect small and medium-sized organisations from negative spirits that seek to undermine our goals.We are now confident that more can be achieved through joint lobbying and open communications. The occasion reminded me of ancient wars, where union standard bearers advanced under the proclamation ‘We want bread…and roses too’. I believe that this theme unites the people of unions and the third sector in our quest.
Fired with this spirit we march, aware of our need for a joined-up strategy for improving HR and ER as a matter of priority. Common agendas will emerge as we identify issues of mutual concern, develop better union/third sector protocols and dispute resolution procedures and achieve more goals through combined campaigns. The trail towards our destination is long but we are now more aware of what needs to be done to reach the city of Better Labour Relations.
Author: Stephen Bubb
Sir Stephen Bubb is chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations and chair of The Social Investment Business.
In 2007 he became secretary general of EUCLID, the European Third Sector Leaders Network.
He has had major national roles in the TGWU, NUT and the AMA (Association of Metropolitan Authorities), as well as being a founding director of the National Lottery Charities Board
www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org
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