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Now it's time for your members to take action! They know what the issues are, they understand why they are important, the next step is to get them involved in an action that will show the
strength
and power of the union. Using the one-on-one structure, it's possible to make direct contact with members quickly and thoroughly.
Workplace actions show the following:
You may want to plan actions that start with a small number of people, involve less risk, and take less time. Then, escalate to actions that are more visible and involve greater numbers of people.
Here's a list to choose from:
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Signing a Petition
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Wearing buttons, stickers
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Wearing
UNITY colors — special t-shirts, hats, armbands, etc.
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Balloons, banners with a unifying theme
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Mass starts
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Synchronized tapping, other actions that indicate
unity and solidarity
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Health action days — "We're sick over" — bandaids, canes, eye patches
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Postcard, petition, pledge card campaign — everyone signs at work; moment of consciousness, everyone pledges to sign up more in the community
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Color-coordinated ink
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Member rallies at lunch
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Families on parade — excellent media "grabber"
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Dress for the Holidays
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Candlelight marches, vigils — gather at dusk, appropriate area, remember fire safety
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Postcards to employer
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Lunch with a Bunch — noontime rally with other unions, families, coalitions
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Multi-employer march — escalate workplace actions to other workplaces with other unions
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Visits to public officials — (surprising how a large group of members who vote affect decisions with elected officials)
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Community trial or public inquiry
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Official hearings — escalates above with help from "friendly" contacts
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Phone banking, jamming — have the world call strategic numbers; call company officers for directions to rally
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Picketing key events, targets — (remember Ryder?)
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Take it to their homes
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Car caravans, drive throughs — Traffic jams and decorated vehicles get everyone's attention
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Stand ups (or sit downs) — "Stand Up to ..." alarm clocks
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Sit down, sleep in, elevator jams
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Other _________________________________________
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Other _________________________________________
Not all activities apply to all situations.
In fact, it is essential that the union consider each action a component of an overall strategic plan. Actions must be discussed and sequenced so as to apply the appropriate level of pressure on the employer. Also, actions must be calculated so as to assure the employer—at all times—that the members are supportive of the union and
united behind a common cause.
Tips for Planning Successful Workplace Actions
Some keys for success are:
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Know what level of action members are ready for. Let them develop tactics and schedules. Don't push people too far, too fast; success builds confidence.
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Be well organized. Build and use stewards/member networks.
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Best effect when you can organize 1 person for every 10 contacts.
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Pay attention to details.
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Know laws and your rights; protect public safety.
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Be creative and don't play your best card first
Tactics to keep in mind:
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Power is also what the management thinks you have.
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Never go outside the experience of your members.
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Whenever possible, go outside the experience of management.
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Make the management live to their own rules.
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A good tactic is one members enjoy.
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Keep the pressure on with different tactics and actions using everything imaginable.
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The threat is usually worse than the thing itself.
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Maintain a constant, increasing pressure on the opposition.
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The real action is in the reaction.
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Management properly goaded will be your major
strength.
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Tactics, like organization and life, require you move with the action.
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