Count Me In!

Outreach to New and Young Members &

The Union as “First Friend, Best Friend”

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How do you think of new employees . . .

• Anti-union?

• Ungrateful?

• Apathetic?

Let’s change our thinking!

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Every new employee is an exciting opportunity . . .

• To grow our union.

• To make it stronger.

• To infuse it with new energy and ideas.

But we have to seize the opportunity!

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Comprehensive New Employee Outreach

Timely identification of newly hired potential members.

Quality, personal introduction of new hires to the union as soon as possible utilizing methods that complement “captive audience” opportunities such as orientation events.

“First friend, best friend” programs that make the union relevant for the variety of ways in which it assists the newly hired get acclimated and become successful on the job (e.g., helpful resources, professional development programs, hotlines, mentor and buddy systems, rap and support groups, social activities).

Specifically defined outreach programs led by union building reps and membership at the worksite level (e.g., walkaround tours and introductions, union and contract orientation, ongoing personal support, periodic drop-in visits).

Integration of issues of concern to the newly and more recently hired in the union’s issues advocacy agenda.

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Recommended To-Do List

• Get to new employees early and in person.

• Don’t sell the union. Connect it.

• Build relationships through which you can share your union story.

• Use issues to define the union.

• Communicate through listening and involve to organize.

• Present union membership as an active proposition right from the start.

• And last , but not least . . .

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Make the Union a“First Friend, Best Friend”

• Support for new employees in the form of a person on the job when they need it.

• Provided through regular personal contact sustained over time.

• Help to:

– Know the worksite and their colleagues

– Survive and thrive professionally

– Navigate bureaucracy and cope with worklife “events”

– Understand the union (and the contract)

– Learn the value of union membership/activism

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We need to say and they need to hear . . .

“Your success on the job is a priority of your union

and an important part of my job as a union leader.”

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You can do this!

• Make new employee outreach a priority for your union and you personally.

• Have a plan for the union becoming a “First Friend, Best Friend.”

• Make your union “a place to belong.”

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Can we count you in?