Come On! A Better Way to Change
A fascinating approach to
restructuring public sector has evolved in Sweden. The process
not only involves trade unions and workers in a central role, but was
devised by trade unions, and is referred to under the simple slogan of
‘Kom An!’ ( which means ‘Come On!). Many of the
municipalities using the Come On! model, have achieved results like
reduced costs and also a change in the traditional roles of the
management pyramid. Today the Come On! projects are widespread in the
Swedish municipalities and county councils. The courses are sold to the
employers, and by 2004, more than 90 000 employees have been, or are
taking part in the projects. Komanco is responsible for the basic idea
of Come On! The company are owned by the Swedish Municipality
Worker’s Union, Svensk Kommunal. Komanco produces study material
and information material, and they also train project leaders and
tutors.
The basic idea of Come On!
The Come On! approach is to
place information and planning of work and control of resources in the
hands of the workers: “The members become researchers in their
own jobs. They discuss how to improve quality, where responsibility lies
and should lie, what are their training needs. They measure the costs of
specific tasks, so that each person knows the costs associated with
their own job.” The projects and the training courses are
developed from four, main statements:
- We believe in local
government
- We believe in the people who work in
local government
- We believe that new solutions are
required for the problems of tomorrow
- We believe in participation by
everyone
The challenges
The challenges which
municipalities and county councils face, may be summarised as
follows:
- Limited financial
resources
- Greater demands by people for
influence and freedom of choice
- Desire on the part of the workforce
for more fulfilling work
The economic constraints place entirely
new demands on local government. Municipalities cannot count to any
great extent on being able to solve problems with the help of increased
resources. Instead, on the basis of existing (and occasionally even
smaller) resources, they must ensure that they do the right things in
the right way. The demands by people for influence and participation
extend to every area of social life. The public expect to be able to
influence the shape of the services provided. In several areas, people
seek freedom of choice and the ability to choose between different
alternatives. An increasing number of employees regard the existing work
organisation as out of keeping with the times. It’s also known
that the employees insist on being able to develop their potential in
their work, which in turn frequently requires a new work
organisation.
The development of society and the
financial problems in the local government sector mean that the union
organisations – must actively participate in discussions about
productivity, efficiency and quality. Unless we do this, there is a
considerable risk that we will be perceived as a stumbling block, always
saying no to what is proposed by politicians and managers. To prevent
this happening, Svensk Kommunal and Komanco have taken on the
responsibility of framing their own proposals, proposals which the
employer perceives as credible.
The Work Method
Come On! is a work method which
involves all employees in a process in which the entire operation and
its organisation are subjected to piecemeal scrutiny, involving
:
- the work organisation
- professional roles
- skills development
- the division of responsibility and
authority
- quality development
The process of change starts at the
heart of things, inside each individual and in the small work teams.
Step by step the entire organisation can be subjected to analysis,
allowing the discovery of an overall structure which best suits the
demands of future. It is crucially important that all the employees at a
workplace participate in the process. Participation means that the
employees are prepared to “let themselves go” and even try
out unexpected solutions. The expertise and experience of everyone are
put to use, and in this way, changes are seen not as threats, but as
opportunities.
Working in a Come On! project is an
entirely new way of working, both for the union, the employees and the
employers. In the projects, proposals and ideas are developed step by
step about ways in which the employer can increase productivity, raise
the level of quality and strengthen his competitiveness. The
step-by-step development also takes place of proposals and ideas about
how the employees should be given benefits in form of higher wages,
stimulating work tasks and broader skills.
How to start?
Solving (future) problems
cannot be a task for a small group alone. The challenge is so great,
that it requires the involvement of every employee. One of the first
things to be done, is to train a “path-leader”. The
path-leader meets the employees over a period of 5-6 months in order to
narrow down each problem systematically, create new knowledge and
insights and get the employees to come up with new ideas about how
problems can be eliminated. In the study groups proposals are worked out
for changes in the work organisation, work methods and work tools, and
the tasks and skill force.
The Come On! training material is used
as a starting point for the work of the study groups. The latter are
made up of employees of all categories – blue-collar and
white-collar workers, supervisors and managers. A project leader is
appointed by the management of the business. If one wishes to carry out
continuous improvements, where the employees feel secure and are
receptive to change, it is important for the project to be run in
association with the regular work. Everyone takes part in developing
ideas about how the business can be run more efficiently and with
quality.
A Union Idea
Come On! is a union idea. By
involving all the employees step by step, as part of a joint process,
developing and improving the business, there is built up close
cooperation with the employer. The result is that the union ideas become
credible and gain respect. The ideas are realistic and may also,
therefore, bring benefits to the employees such as increased salaries,
secure employment and an opportunity for training and broader
skills.
To get more information about
the Come On! project, please contact:
Komanco, Box 19039, SE-104 32 Stockholm
SWEDEN
Phone: +46 8 728 28 67 Fax: 46 8 728
30 25 WEB: www.komanco.com
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