Securing work in the syndicate (6)

I believe the answer is:

roping

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'securing' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'work in the syndicate' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'op' (common abbreviation for 'opus').
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'the syndicate' becomes 'ring' (I've seen this in other clues).
'op' inserted into 'ring' is 'ROPING'.

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