Trade union officials and the 'golden key' to innovation

Towards versatility

During more than 11 years working as a full-time union official at the Southeast Economic Zone Union, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong (born in 1987) was assigned many roles such as Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Inspection Committee... People can easily see her passionately choreographing a dance for a union member's program, happily eating figs with salt with workers, meeting and understanding the thoughts of workers in the boarding house, advising on labor law for workers or working with the leaders of a company... Coming to the union by chance, Ms. Huong herself did not expect that she would love and be so compatible with the union. Wherever she is, whatever she does, Ms. Huong always strives to complete it with the best results.

From practical experience, Ms. Huong believes that multi-talentedness is the keyword that union staff need to aim for in their work.new phase“Multi-functionality is also the goal of the Executive Board of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union in training a team of specialized trade union officials. Accordingly, any trade union official must be equipped with knowledge of labor law, have experience in negotiating collective agreements, be proficient in mobilizing the establishment of grassroots trade unions and be knowledgeable about trade union finances… With the characteristics of many enterprises, many workers, and diverse activities, in addition to the specialized fields of each individual, when we are multi-functional, the support for grassroots trade unions, union members, and workers will be more timely, effective, and professional” - Ms. Huong shared.

To become more versatile, the Trade Union officers of the Southeast Economic Zone like Ms. Huong have invested a lot of time in research, learning, and proactively taking advantage of every opportunity to interact and accumulate experience. All problems and incidents from the grassroots are discussed together to help and support each other.

In addition to her versatility, Ms. Mai Huong is also known as a “familiar face” and “secret mailbox” of union members and workers. Although she is a senior union official, her openness, cheerfulness and friendliness have helped her gain the trust and affection of workers and laborers.

Employee-centered

Commenting on the union activities of FVF International Clean Vegetable and Fruit Production and Supply Joint Stock Company, Ms. Nguyen Thi Quynh Trang - Vice President of Nghia Dan District Labor Federation said: "The activities of the FVF International Clean Vegetable and Fruit Production and Supply Joint Stock Company Union are always creative, pioneering, attracting the enthusiastic participation ofworkerand spread to many other units. To do this, the grassroots union cadres must be very dedicated, enthusiastic, have the ability to build the movement as well as receive the trust and support of union members. Ms. Truong Thi Ngoc Dung (born in 1988) - Chairwoman of the company's Union is such a union cadre.

As the deputy head of production, Ms. Dung often has to go to the factory and the fields to supervise and manage workers. She has a special principle: When talking to union members and workers, she always takes the time to ask about them first, then ask about their work. Sharing more about this, Ms. Dung said: "If we want union members and workers to participate in the movement, the movement must be centered on the workers, union officials must understand them, grasp their needs and aspirations. Being open, friendly and approaching workers with sincerity will help workers open their hearts to share and accept." This is how the Union of FVF International Clean Vegetable Production and Supply Joint Stock Company builds movements in a practical and effective way.

In addition, Ms. Dung also believes that each union official needs to affirm his or her position with both professional competence and soft skills. If expertise helps the voice of union officials have more weight, soft skills such as communication, time management, work arrangement, etc. will help union officials ensure the quality of activities and balance between work and family.

Cadres must be pioneers, movements must be specific.

In recent years, the propaganda and emulation movements of the Do Luong District Labor Federation have continuously achieved many high achievements and have been recognized by the Provincial Labor Federation. As the person in charge of this content, Mr. Le Van Lai (born in 1977) - Vice Chairman of the District Labor Federation affirmed that the pioneering and exemplary role of union officials plays an important role.

Sharing on the sidelines after receiving the Third Prize in the First Journalism Award for Writing about Workers' Movements and Trade Union Activities in 2023, Mr. Le Van Lai expressed: "I wrote the article without thinking that I would win the prize. My purpose was to stir up the movement and urge my brothers and sisters at the grassroots level to participate. If I want my brothers and sisters at the grassroots level to participate, I myself must do it first. Before being a union official, I must fulfill my duties as a union member." Not only in this contest, Mr. Lai applies the above method to all movements and tasks that he is in charge of.

In addition to the above viewpoint, the Vice Chairman of the Do Luong District Labor Federation also said that propaganda work as well as movements and emulation tasks need to be specific with visible products and measurable numbers. “We evaluate the results of grassroots unions based on specific products and accurate data, even if it is just a small product, a small project, a small innovation. This avoids general, superficial, formal reports, contributing to creating real movements, positively impacting union members and workers and spreading the image of the union organization among the people,” said Mr. Lai.

Applying technology to union activities

One of the difficult problems of large enterprises is managing, collecting, and listening to the opinions and aspirations of all workers. At the Trade Union of Luxshare ICT Nghe An Company, with more than 7,000 workers, Trade Union Chairman Le Khanh Minh (born in 1988) has made the most of the power of technology in this work.

“The more workers there are, the more different opinions and wishes there are, especially in matters related to rights and welfare. In order not to miss any opinions and to show respect for workers, we use QR codes so that workers can choose and propose their opinions. After synthesizing them, the union will make a decision that ensures both the interests of all parties and the majority's choice,” Minh shared. Although it is difficult to satisfy 100% of union members and workers, the way the Luxshare ICT Nghe An Co., Ltd. Union has met 80-90% of workers' wishes.

Not only using QR codes, the Trade Union of Luxshare ICT Nghe An Co., Ltd. also applies internal communication channels and social networks to promptly grasp the thoughts and aspirations of employees. “Conflicts in labor relations can originate from unnecessary misunderstandings and misunderstandings. We choose to explain clearly and transparently with a sharing and calm attitude right from when the problem is still simple to harmonize this relationship,” added Mr. Minh.

Indeed, although I have only joined the union since April 2022, with many years of experience working directly withworker, laborerIn the fields of production, human resources, and labor relations, Mr. Minh has gained the trust of the superior union, the company's leaders, and the workers. The calm, sociable, and professional attitude of the young union president has repeatedly helped the company overcome difficulties and brought many practical benefits to the workers./.