Community Union was formed in 2004 through the merger of the ISTC and KFAT, two of the oldest Trade Unions in Britain, representing Steel and Textile workers. Adapting to the new global economy has seen Community reach out to other sectors including Betting shops and Blind and Disabled workers.
BUSWE, the British Union of Social Work Employees joined Community in 2008. This was influenced, not just by the greater resources that Community could provide, Community has the best ratio of full-time officers to members of any union, but by the Community ethos.
Community practises Community Unionism, which is designed to support members at work and at home. By engaging with the areas where our members live, Community is helping to build local communities.
BUSWE was also attracted by the continuing success of the national League of the Blind and Disabled as an independent sector within Community and adopted a similar model upon joining Community.
Below is a short history of BUSWE since its creation in 1976.
Members attending the 1976 British Association of Social Workers Conference had been lobbied over the idea of forming an independent trade union for social workers. A majority of members present and proxy votes being in favour of forming a social work trade union; The British Union of Social Workers (BUSW) was established.
BUSW merged with another trade union, based in Leeds, called the National Union of Social Workers in 1981. This led to the establishment of the present British Union of Social Work Employees.
In 1983 BUSWE gained its first Certificate of Independence from the National Certification Office for Trades Unions. This gave us equal status with all other recognised trade unions.
In 1985 BUSWE employed their first General Secretary (Stan Crawshaw – ex GMB Regional Secretary) on a part time basis. Unfortunately, Stan’s health deteriorated towards the end of 1987 and he had to resign his post. We are and remain grateful that he still maintains contact.
In 1988 we sought affiliation to the Trade Union Congress, despite the constant blocking tactics of larger unions.
In 1990 BUSWE hit a major crisis. In seeking to recruit new membership and improve our communication, we had extended ourselves financially to a situation where we had debts that exceeded our assets and our bankers blocked any further investment.
By 1994 BUSWE were able to appoint the first Scottish Officer (part time) to deal with membership matters across the border. We sought to create a wider network of regional officers but the budget constraints remained and most services were provided through a centrally controlled system.
It is a measure of our success that during the year 1995 – 1996 we were registered by the Certification Office as the only trade union in the United Kingdom who grew in membership without having merged.
During 1999 BUSWE concentrated on seeking to gain affiliation to the T.U.C.
In 2007 negotiations were opened with Community and a transfer of arrangements was agreed.