Union Communication Techniques

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  Unions play a tremendously important role, not only in history, but in current economic and business issues. Unions therefore must stay current and effective in planning and implementing their communications techniques when communicating with the general public, as well as when communicating with each other and within an organization.

Print Publications

• There are a number of print publications unions can use to bring attention to their cause, use for a campaign to achieve union goals, generate good publicity and communicate within a union and between unions. Newsletters, pamphlets, fact sheets, billboards and even children's coloring books can be used. All print publications should be tailored specifically to the audience and for specific purposes whenever possible.

  Most printed materials can be designed and sometimes even printed in-house. If there is no one to design or write the materials already working with the union, but there is an insufficient need to hire a new employee, unions can hire freelance graphic designers or writers to ensure the very best print publications possible.

Media Involvement

• Media involvement is an extremely helpful tool to have and can be generated relatively easily in a number of ways. The best way to communicate through the media is to coach all those that may be interviewed in such a way as to not only portray the union as positive, but to showcase ways unions help the general public.

Workshops and Conferences

• Workshops and conferences may be one of the oldest ways for large groups to communicate about best practices, coordinated efforts and more, but it remains one of the most effective. Workshops focus primarily on active, involved education and can be performed for a single chapter, a single union or across different unions. Conferences, alternatively, while also educational, are so in a more subtle way, allowing for more networking.

Online Outlets

• In this modern age, the Internet can never be overlooked as a massive boost to a union's ability to communicate. Many of the country's most successful and powerful unions have partly become that way because of their ability to use the Internet as a tool. Websites, especially ones with excellent information for the public as well as private, members-only pages for members of the union, can generate a lot of awareness and publicity for the union's objectives. E-newsletters can be sent out and posted on the website. Use of social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook can be used to capture the attention of non-members and members alike.