SALLT Press Release Feb 2006
February 9th 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOSS OF TRADE UNIONIST INSPIRES LIFELONG LEARNING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Scottish Trades Union Congress have launched an award which recognises the pivotal role played by trade union activists in the promotion of workplace lifelong learning in memory of Helen Dowie, a trade unionist from Fife who died last year from cancer.
Helen's life was devoted to supporting others through the trade union movement and her death at a young age was mourned by trade unionists throughout Fife and Scotland. She was a key player in supporting the TUC Education Service to develop the lifelong learning agenda that union members know today.
The award will ask trade unions to nominate lay activists who have demonstrated a commitment to the trade union movement and excelled in the promotion of lifelong learning.
Developed by the STUC's recently established Skills & Lifelong Learning Team, in conjunction with Helen's partner Mike Morris, the inaugural award will be presented at the STUC Annual Congress in April to commemorate Helen's lifetime achievements in lifelong learning and annually thereafter to recognise other outstanding trade unionists who continue to demonstrate their commitment to union values and lead the learning movement forward in Scotland.
STUC Deputy General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
"Trade union activists have played a leading role in the promotion of lifelong learning across workplaces throughout Scotland and we are delighted to be launching this award both in recognition of this work and in memory of Helen.
"Given the high quality of work being undertaken in this field combined with the many individuals driving the agenda we are expecting a high number of nominations from unions across all sectors."
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said:
"The role of unions in promoting and driving the skills agenda within the workplace is crucial if we are to meet the global economic challenges of the future. Unions are rightly at the heart of driving lifelong learning and I am delighted that recognition is being given to individual members for their hard work and commitment.
"At a personal level I am very pleased that this new award has been named in memory of a close friend who herself gave so much dedication and commitment to the Labour movement and its objectives throughout her life. I know Helen would have been extremely honoured to see this award in her name particularly because it recognises the importance of trade union activity in gaining skills for life.
"This award is a fitting and timely tribute to Helen's achievements."
ENDS
Note for Editors
Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning
Helen Dowie was involved in the Trade Union Movement in Fife for most of her adult life. She worked in Rosyth Dockyard for about 20 years and was active within the civil service unions. Through her union, Helen organised the yard, organised and campaigned in many initiatives, and supported many workers. She took the union into the community through the organisation of the Rosyth festival and music events to highlight campaigns for Chilean workers and other important union campaigns.
Helen, along with her partner Mike Morris, started the Trades Council News in Fife. By writing, printing, editing, and distributing the newssheet, Helen and Mike kept union members involved and aware of the issues and also spread the word more widely throughout Fife. Helen and Mike made many solid relationships and friendships through their union involvement; Jimmy McIntyre was best man at their wedding.
Helen worked with Mike and many other individuals to support the development of education and learning in Scotland. She was a key player in supporting the TUC to develop the lifelong learning agenda that union members know today. Helen worked to pull down financial backing to support unions in developing the role of the Union Learning Representative and was praised for her work at her funeral by Brendan Barber and Liz Smith of the TUC.
Helen's life was devoted to supporting others through the trade union movement and her death at a young age was mourned by trade unionists throughout Fife and Scotland. This annual award has been founded in 2006 to commemorate Helen's lifetime achievements in lifelong learning and to recognise other outstanding trade unionists who continue to demonstrate their commitment to union values and lead the learning movement forward in Scotland.
Candidacy
To be a candidate for nomination, the person must: * Demonstrate a commitment to the trade union movement * Excel in the promotion of lifelong learning within their own organisation, workplace, or community in Scotland * Be a lay union activist (not a paid official of a trade union)
Nomination Process
The recipient of the award is decided annually by the Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning Steering Group, which is composed of trade union members and TUC and STUC officials. The Award will be presented at the STUC's Annual Congress in Perth, 10th - 12th April 2006.
The recipient will also receive a prestigious prize along with book tokens and a framed certificate. Financial sponsorship of the Award has been sought from many lifelong learning partners and STUC affiliates.
For further information, contact:
Jennifer Payne
Marketing Officer
STUC Skills & Lifelong Learning Team
333 Woodlands Road
Glasgow, G3 6NG
Tel: 0141 337 8130
Fax: 0141 337 8101
or
send an Email