Case studies: Regional policy and campaigns officer: Laurie

Laurie works for the Southern and Eastern region of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) as a research policy and campaigns officer. For Laurie, an important aspect of the role is that you have to believe in what you're working on...

There are three components to his work at the regional TUC:

• communication between the TUC and its affiliated unions;
• representation of working people to external agencies - regional development agencies and, in London, the Mayor's Office, etc.;
• desk research, particularly when associated with campaigns or development of regional policy.

Laurie has been in post since 1997. He applied for his current role while working for a university on a research project related to the trade union movement. He was attracted by the variety of work, a by-product of working in a small team at regional level. More importantly for Laurie, 'it's values-based work. You have to believe in what you're working on.'

Laurie maintains that a degree and some relevant research experience are essential entry requirements. 'You also need to be very flexible, once in post. At regional level, the work is hugely varied and you need a significant knowledge base.' In contrast, research roles at national level often specialise in one or two key issues, e.g. health and safety.

Laurie's role covers a wide range of subjects. A typical week might see him working on subjects such as skills, the management of European Structural Funds and even the organisation of an anti-racism protest.

Two examples of projects Laurie has worked on are the London living wage/anti-poverty work in the capital and a joint project with the University of North London on tackling low pay in the security sector. Working for the TUC gives Laurie significant access to policy makers and key decision makers. For example, he has made representations and given evidence to one of the Commons' Select Committees on the proposed closure of the Vauxhall car plant at Luton and the need for effective redundancy services, including counselling and re-training.

Communication skills are critical. 'You need to be able to work in a multi-agency forum, such as Regional Development Agencies, where others may not instinctively share your views, but where there may be shared interests, and build bridges with regional partners on an issue-by-issue basis.'

Research skills are obviously important, although the TUC spends less time on original research than desk research and drawing together secondary research from other bodies, e.g. to provide information for wage negotiations. On the downside, 'you know you could achieve more if resources were greater. Dependence on winning external funds can be challenging.'

Laurie has noticed that some people stay in post for one to two years and then move on to other senior posts in public service, unions or the private sector. Others, like himself, stay with the TUC for a significant time. Part of the career movement is to enable specialisation, often achieved by joining the national office of a trade union. Part of it relates to the level of personal interest in the underlying issues. 'You need personal commitment to trade unionism, representing the broad interests of working people and their families, otherwise you could burn out very quickly.'