What Can AI Do for You?

Brothers and Sisters,

I hope this article finds you and yours settling into the new school year and looking forward to fall. After the September Membership Meeting, we will start talking about what we want in our new contract. Our current contract expires June 30, 2027. Before the contract expires, we will also have to negotiate and vote on the Northern Floor Covering Master Agreement. After that is completed, we will then negotiate the Sacramento Addendum. I want to start talking and get the wants and needs of the members asap. When the Floor Covering Negotiating Team meets, I want to have everything that the members have asked for.  If I don’t have the members’ wants and needs, how can we negotiate the contract you want? I ask everyone who possibly can to attend. We will be doing this every month until we start negotiations. 

If you can’t, make it then please call me and let’s talk about what you want to see in the new contract. I will also be sending out a google pole and emails. This has been a very busy summer, and I have enjoyed getting out to the jobsites and seeing each and everyone of you. If I haven’t gotten to one of your jobsites, please let me know and we can arrange for me to come out and see you. As I am getting older (54) new technology is hard to keep up with, but I’m doing my best. As your Business Rep. DC16 is constantly sending us for training on the latest tech, mental health training, drug addiction training and too many others to list. With the creation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) I keep hearing how it can do almost anything. I have been reluctant because I know people who use it for everything and almost seem to be a crutch. One of my most written subjects is member participation. I was going to write another article asking and even begging you to be an active member and usually we might see a few more members at a meeting VAC or even a STAR’s class. The local has even gone as far as giving raffle prizes at every Membership Meeting and spends several thousands of dollars for the Annual Christmas Meeting. So, I decided to see what kind of article AI can create. Please see below and again the was created by AI, I did not write this.

Building a Stronger Union Through Member Participation

An article on why active involvement is essential to a democratic, effective, and resilient union.

Introduction

Union membership is more than paying dues or receiving representation; it is a shared commitment to building power, protecting rights, and improving conditions for everyone in the workplace. A union is strongest when members see themselves not as spectators, but as active participants in decisions, campaigns, meetings, and everyday conversations that shape the direction of the organization.

Member participation is the foundation of union democracy. When members attend meetings, vote, serve on committees, communicate with co-workers, and share feedback, the union becomes more responsive and representative. Participation also strengthens bargaining power because employers can see that the union speaks with the active support of its members.

Why Participation Matters

Participation gives members a real voice in the priorities and strategies of their union. Contract negotiations, workplace safety campaigns, grievance processes, political action, and community partnerships are all stronger when they reflect the experiences of the people most affected. A union that listens widely and invites broad involvement is better equipped to identify problems early, develop practical solutions, and maintain trust.

Participation also builds solidarity. Members who know one another, understand common challenges, and work together are more likely to support collective action when it becomes necessary. Whether the issue is wages, staffing, benefits, scheduling, safety, or respect on the job, active members help turn individual concerns into collective strength.

Common Barriers to Involvement

Many members want to be involved but face practical barriers. Busy schedules, family responsibilities, multiple jobs, transportation challenges, language access, unfamiliar meeting procedures, or uncertainty about how to get started can all limit participation. Some members may also feel that their input will not make a difference, especially if they have not seen follow-up after raising concerns in the past.

Recognizing these barriers is the first step toward removing them. A union that values participation must make involvement accessible, meaningful, and welcoming. That means offering multiple ways to participate, communicating clearly and consistently, and showing members that their ideas and concerns lead to visible action.

Strategies to Increase Member Participation

1. Communicate Frequently and Clearly

Members are more likely to participate when they understand what is happening, why it matters, and how they can help. Regular updates through newsletters, text messages, email, workplace bulletin boards, social media, and face-to-face conversations can keep members informed. Communication should be timely, easy to understand, and connected to real workplace issues.

2. Make Meetings More Accessible

Meetings should be structured so that members can attend and contribute. This may include rotating meeting times, offering hybrid options, providing agendas in advance, explaining voting procedures, and creating space for new voices. A welcoming meeting culture can help members feel comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas.

3. Invite Members Into Specific Roles

General invitations often produce limited results. Directly asking members to take on specific, manageable roles can be more effective. Members can serve as stewards, committee participants, workplace contacts, event volunteers, phone bankers, welcoming mentors for new members, or issue campaign leaders. Small roles often become the first step toward deeper leadership.

4. Listen, Follow Up, and Report Back

Participation grows when members see that their input matters. Surveys, listening sessions, one-on-one conversations, and open forums can help leaders understand member priorities. Just as important, leaders should report back on what they heard, what decisions were made, and what actions will follow. This cycle of listening and accountability builds confidence in the union’s democratic process.

5. Build a Culture of Recognition

Recognizing participation encourages continued involvement. Unions can highlight members who attend actions, help co-workers, serve on committees, or contribute ideas. Recognition does not need to be elaborate; a public thank-you, a newsletter spotlight, or acknowledgement at a meeting can reinforce the message that every contribution matters.

From Membership to Movement

The goal of participation is not simply to fill meeting rooms or increase turnout for isolated events. The larger goal is to build a living, democratic organization where members understand their power and use it together. When participation becomes part of the union’s everyday culture, members are better prepared to defend one another, improve their workplaces, and advance shared goals.

Strong participation also prepares the next generation of union leaders. Every conversation, committee meeting, training, campaign, and vote is an opportunity for members to learn how the union works and how they can shape its future. Leadership development begins when members are invited, supported, and trusted to take action.

Conclusion

Union member participation is essential to building power, practicing democracy, and winning meaningful improvements. A union becomes stronger when members are informed, included, and mobilized around shared priorities. By reducing barriers, improving communication, creating meaningful roles, and following through on member concerns, unions can turn membership into active ownership.

The message is simple: the union is not only an office, a contract, or a group of elected leaders. The union is its members. When members participate, the union’s voice becomes louder, its decisions become stronger, and its future becomes more secure.

Please let me know if you liked this article and if it made you want to participate more. 

Fraternally,

Randy Rojas