CLP Trade Union Liaison Officer (TULO)

Build strong links between your CLP and trade unions, and help bring the voice of working people into local campaigning and activity.

As CLP Trade Union Liaison Officer (TULO), you play a vital role in strengthening the relationship between the Labour Party and the trade union movement at a local level. Trade unions bring the collective voice of working people into our Party, and your role is to build relationships, support joint campaigning and ensure that voice is heard.

This role suits someone who is a strong relationship builder, enjoys organising and campaigning, and is committed to working closely with trade unions and members to build Labour’s presence locally.

What success looks like

A strong TULO helps create a local party that is:

• Connected – strong, active relationships with local trade union branches and representatives
• Active – joint campaigning between Labour members and trade unionists
• Representative – trade union voices are heard within the CLP
• Growing – more trade unionists are involved in Party activity and campaigning
• Integrated – trade union activity is part of the CLP’s wider campaigning and organisation

What you’ll do

Build relationships with trade unions

• Develop strong links with local trade union branches and activists
• Act as a key point of contact between the CLP and local trade unions
• Support trade union delegates to participate fully in CLP activity
• Build connections with unionised workplaces and local organisers where appropriate
• Connect affiliated trade unions to local councillors and candidates

Strengthen the trade union link in your CLP

• Help ensure trade unions have an effective voice within the CLP
• Encourage participation from affiliated unions and their delegates
• Promote understanding of the Labour–trade union link among members
• Encourage Party members to join and be active in a trade union
• Encourage trade unionists to put themselves forward for elected office

Support joint campaigning and organising

• Work with officers to plan and deliver joint campaigns with trade unions
• Support campaigning activity both within your CLP and in priority seats where appropriate
• Help mobilise trade union members to take part in Labour campaigning
• Support activity around key workplace and community issues

Map and grow local connections

• Identify existing links between your CLP and trade unions
• Work with officers and members to understand where relationships already exist
• Build new connections with local union branches and workplaces
• Focus activity where it will have the greatest impact

A good place to start is mapping existing relationships between your CLP, affiliated trade unions and workplaces — this helps identify where to build and strengthen connections.

Work with officers and structures

• Work with the campaign leads and candidates to align campaigning activity
• Support the Policy Officer to ensure workplace and union issues are reflected in discussions
• Work with the CLP Secretary to ensure trade union delegates are engaged and informed
• Link with regional TULO structures and Labour Unions for support and coordination

How you’ll work with others

You’ll work with officers and members to strengthen relationships and support campaigning.

• CLP Chair – supports a culture of collaboration and inclusion
• CLP Secretary – supports communication and engagement with delegates
• Vice Chair and/or Campaign Co-ordinator – works with you to align campaigning
• Policy Officer – ensures trade union voices inform policy discussions
• Trade union delegates and representatives – key partners in building the local link
• Party staff and regional structures – provide support, coordination and campaign priorities

Top tips to get you started

• Start with relationships – get to know local union representatives and activists
• Map what exists – identify current links before building new ones
• Focus on shared activity – campaigning together builds stronger relationships
• Keep in touch – regular communication keeps people involved
• Be an advocate – promote the importance of the trade union link

Your first 90 days

• Meet with officers to understand current activity and priorities
• Identify affiliated trade unions and existing contacts
• Connect with your regional TULO structures and Labour Unions
• Begin mapping local union links and workplaces
• Support or organise your first joint campaigning activity

Tools, guidance and support

• Organise – support communication and mobilisation http://organise.labour.org.uk
• Training and resources – available via www.labour.org.uk/resources and the CLP Hub on Labour Learn at https://learn.labour.org.uk/clp-hub
• Labour Unions (TULO) – guidance, contacts and support for building the union link at www.labourunions.org.uk
• Sign up for updates and resources for TULO Officers via Labour Unions

If you need support or advice, you can contact the CLP Support team on [email protected], the Governance and Legal Unit on [email protected], your regional office, Scottish or Welsh Labour, or the Labour Unions team on [email protected].