Massen who??

How did you get your position?

What advice would you give to someone looking to become active?

What experience or qualifications are essential to this kind of work?

Tell me about a typical day?

What is the best thing about your job?

What was your proudest moment?

What was your darkest moment?

Simon Massen

Branch Secretary 

How did you get your position?

I first became a cadet rep at Wisbech when I was 17. 

It was also here that I was involved in industrial action for the first time after our local rep was suspended. 

I later transferred to Peterborough and was unsuccessful at getting on the fiercely fought for PHG Committee.

I did a UCW correspondence course, which motivated me to stand for deputy branch secretary, 

I continued that for 3 years, whilst also being political officer. 

About the same time I was also a local labour councillor in Wisbech.

What advice would you give to someone looking to become active?

Ask and keep asking your local rep or branch secretary how you can become involved, 

there is always something to do. 

Always read the notice board and visit your branch or national website, 

join e mail newsgroups such as www.labourstart.org or www.tuc.org.uk

What experience or qualifications are essential to this kind of work?

Empathy, the ability to listen, understand and act on difficulties. A good memory (or good notebook), 

perception, the ability to anticipate situations, general life skills.

Tell me about a typical day?

Deal with all correspondence e-mails faxes etc. Prepare and circulate of Branch Committee work, 

Recruitment, membership systems updates, all incoming phone calls. 

Main contact with CWU Headquarters and other branches. Main local media contact and with affiliated organisations. 

Organising, developing and delivering Branch Training and Education. 

Administration of Branch Benevolent Fund and other Branch Services. Jack of all trades.

What is the best thing about your job?

No 2 days are the same.

What was your proudest moment?

Drafting, seconding and getting carried at rules revision conference a new rule that gave birth for the CWU Youth Advisory Committee 

(YAC) and seeing it in the rulebook. 

What was your darkest moment?

Knowing I was already too old for the YAC.