By Phillylabor.com

One of the biggest issues facing the Labor Movement today is fully adapting to the internet. Valuable resources like websites, email newsletters, and social media now provide the unique ability to distribute information, unite on common goals, connect with members, maintain a media platform and ultimately impact issues such as legislation, political campaigns and job related situations like never before.

Although many unions have adapted well, there are still some old school locals whose total online presence only consists of an outdated web page with no social media presence at all. Generation gaps are often cited for such differences between the progress of some unions have made online and others who have little or no online presence. Still, whatever the reason, in today’s day in age of instantaneous communications and real time information, there is no reason for any organization not to realize the full capabilities of these tools.

PRIMARY ONLINE ADVANTAGES FOR THE LABOR MOVEMENT –

– Helps Communicate FASTER – Social Media allows union leaders to connect with ALL of their members INSTANTLY in real time. Let’s an organization react to situations immediately.

– More COMPREHENSIVE – Union Leaders who want to get a message out to hundreds or even thousands of members can do so by just typing out the message and clicking “Send” or “Post”. No More Fliers or personal visits required to connect with ALL members.

– More ECONOMICAL – Most Online Tools including social media resources are FREE.

BOTTOM LINE – “We can not compete with big business or in politics if we are not on the same playing field”. Therefore, If you are a union leader, a union member or member of any labor organization that is not utilizing the available internet based resources, please encourage your organization to get online, set up your social media and LET’S GET IN THE GAME!!