Departments

From the Director
How can I become a union activist?

Have you every felt out of touch with your union?
Did you ever think that your leaders are out of touch with the membership? Have you ever given thought to what’s causing this? What’s missing?

The lifeline of the labor movement is based on activism. Most people’s eyes glaze over as soon as this subject comes up. They think of activism as having to join a standing committee or getting elected to a local office. But, it is much more fundamental than that. It’s as simple as talking to one another.

Have you ever asked yourself, how does information get spread throughout the membership on important issues? How do issues I have get shared with my local leaders? How do I get exposed to issues important to the union’s agenda? How do I find out when the union needs my help?

Some locals have a network of members on each shift, made up of elected leaders, standing committee members and just regular members. Each person has a certain section of the workplace or a short list of members that they are responsible for personally communicating with regularly.

Other locals have a similar, yet more formal process and structure known as Worker-to-Worker. Volunteers are educated on how the process works, how to create an effective network, effective communicating skills, specifics on issues being communicated and how to measure the effectiveness of the process.

In either case, this communications system is designed to spread information quickly and accurately to and from the membership. Think of it as the veins in your body. They carry blood to all parts sending vital fluids to every cell. In return, blood carries impurities back to be filtered elsewhere. Cut the flow off to any one vein, and you lose mobility and function in the part of the body it feeds. Having a worker-to-worker network is as vital to the union’s ability to function as your veins are to your body.

The Worker-to-Worker process can be used for a variety of initiatives. For example, you may want to build a grassroots effort to contact your local, state or federal representatives on issues that have a negative effect on workers, the labor movement or our industries. Perhaps, you might want to gather members’ input for collective bargaining, prioritize issues the union needs to address or define workplace concerns. You might also want to share with the membership the union’s point of view or agenda about some important union business. Maybe you want to get the members involved in organizing new members. Well-constructed networks can spread information within 24 hours. But most importantly, the process builds solidarity and reinforces democracy in our union.

Region 8 is focusing long and hard on increasing our political influence and growing the union through organizing, both of which can be accomplished with effective Worker-to-Worker programs in the local unions. Regional staff can help you build yours.

If you are feeling disconnected, demand that your local create a Worker-to-Worker network and become an active participant. Join the fight for a better workplace and a better world. You, too, can become a union activist.