ABSTRACT
In this context the passing of the Union Representatives Education Leave Act and the establishment of the Trade Union Education Authority (TUEA) in August 1986, while not greatly remarkable events, represented a significant redistribution of educational resourcing for the trade union movement. In particular, the Act legislated for paid education leave for union representatives to attend courses which would make them more active and informed participants in their union and in their employment (though with a legislated maximum per person of five days per year); it confirmed the International Labour Organization priniciple that the union movement should have the responsibility for directing the curriculum and selecting the personnel
Linda Sissons
involved in union education; and it established TUEA, with the statutory power to promote, monitor, evaluate and advise on not only trade union education but also education for adult workers, and the general education of working people. It also provided funding of just under $1 million in the first year and $1.6 million in the second. When judged against the $18 million used for management training it is not a large sum but at least an important set of principles and trade union educational practices have been established.
