Sharing of knowledge – among union representatives and the Danish Nurses Organization

Presenting: Lisbeth Reuss-Schmidt RN, dof., MHSc(Nurs) Regionalhospital Randers, Denmark

What is happening around us?

 Development from the industrial community to the post modern community  Knowledge is essential  Tasks are getting increasingly complex  The Danish Nurses Organisation is in an area of tension between  Mentality of the wage-earner-mentality  Mentality of a profession

Unions are under pressure  Why bother being member of a union?

 Is there still a need for solidarity?

 Is it possible to connect the increasing individuality with solidarity?

The Danish model Negotiation on the national level between unions and employers in regions and municipalities, mainly on issues concerning:  Salary  Work hours  Development of nursing as a profession

The Danish model Negotiations at the local workplace:  MED (forum for discussion, influence and decision making in all matters concerning the workforce)  Union representatives, working environment representative and members of management usually make up these forums.  The management still have the power to make the final decision, but is required to listen to arguments from the employees.

Focus on co-operation - not confrontation

The project  Our research is based on a questionnaire followed by focus-group-interview  By Dorthe Ehlers and Lisbeth Reuss-Schmidt Do the union representative feel the need and have the ability to act within a political mind set?

Results A need for strengthening the ability to analyze, reflect and communicate is essential:  Own and others capabilities  Seek out new knowledge  Freedom to think out of the box  Ability to navigate in power-relations

The learning strategy  Formal training  Individual internalisation  Create an opportunity to share thoughts and opinions with other union representatives or elected union politicians before sharing with management

What is needed?

 Debate political issues with elected union politicians  Face-to-face  Online  Realize that politics also occurs in the every day life at the work place The purpose is to create a process of personal formation

From the union perspective:  Communication with the elected union politicians  Continuous attention on the needs expressed by the union representatives

Contact information: [email protected]

Thank you for listening!