What’s the most effective way to grow our union? We have contractually negotiated union bulletin boards. We have flyers. We connect with our coworkers through emails, texts, and social media. While all these tools help keep members informed and connected, none of them can replace a face-to-face, one-on-one conversation.
Growing our union starts with relationships. When we take the time to talk with our coworkers, listen to their concerns, and understand what matters to them, we build trust. Those conversations help us build trust and grow our membership. Those conversations also help us understand what is keeping someone from joining the APWU. Sometimes the question being asked is not the real concern. A question about dues may actually stem from frustration with a steward or another union member.
Unions have used the same organizing principles for generations: listen, identify issues, agitate around those issues, and ask coworkers to take action. Those conversations are the foundation of successful organizing. Of course, these conversations do not always happen when we expect them to; like if a coworker catches you in the break room, asks a question on the workroom floor, or brings up union membership while heading out the door. While the quick responses below are no substitute for a genuine organizing conversation, they can help keep the discussion moving and open the door to a deeper conversation about union membership.
Organizer’s Corner
“I’m already represented. Why should I join?”
I hear this one a lot. My response is usually pretty simple: we are stronger when more of us are involved. The more members we have, the more strength we have when issues come up on the workroom floor and when it is time to negotiate our contract. Joining is not about someone else representing us, it’s about all of us working together to protect what we have achieved and making improvements
“I don’t have the money to join.”
Everyone’s financial situation is different, and of course it’s important to respect that. But when I hear that, I usually ask people to think about what they are getting in return. The wages, benefits, leave, and protections we have won together over the years are worth far more than the cost of dues.
“I don’t use the union.”
This is one of the comments I hear most often. My response is usually that you use what we have achieved together every day you come to work. Your pay, your leave, your health benefits, your seniority rights, and the protections in our contract are all things you rely on every day. Those are not extras. They are part of your job, and we have them because we stood together and fought for them
“I’m going to retire soon.”
That is exactly why your membership matters. To join the APWU Retirees Department when you retire, you must be an APWU member at the time of retirement. For a small annual cost, retirees stay connected, stay informed, and have people fighting to protect the retirement benefits they have spent a career earning. Retirement does not mean those benefits stop needing protection.
“Do I have to join?”
Our wages, benefits, leave, and workplace protections are not here because management wanted to give them to us. We have them because we stood together and fought for them. If we want to keep what we have, it takes all of us.
Growing our union is not about having all the answers.
It is about listening, building relationships, and understanding the concerns behind the question. Every conversation is an opportunity to connect with our coworkers, strengthen our membership, and build a stronger union.
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