7 Best Union Communication Strategies to Empower Member

Many unions today face significant challenges: younger members demand mobile-friendly, interactive platforms, while older members prefer traditional methods. Larger unions struggle with inconsistent messaging across organizational levels, resulting in inefficient and fragmented outreach. That’s why well‑designed union communication strategies are no longer optional—it’s essential.

At the same time, about 60% of U.S. adults say the long‑term decline in union membership has been bad for the country. 

The good news? Strong union communication strategies can turn these challenges into strengths. By aligning channels, union communication tools, and messaging around member engagement, where you can bridge: 

• Generational divides
• Ensure consistent messaging
• Boost participation
• Renew trust in your union’s mission.

Then this article is for you, where we will discuss some effective union communication strategies. 

Why strong union communication strategies matter more than ever

Post-pandemic workforce shifts and the rise of remote/hybrid work have changed how unions connect. Today’s members expect:

• Quick, clear updates directly on their phones 
• Personalized outreach that reflects their issues
• Transparent, two-way communication from their leadership
  

Unions that adapt to these expectations build stronger solidarity and faster response networks during negotiations, strikes, or organizing drives. 

7 union communication strategies unions can use to mobilize existing members

Let’s see some important union communication strategies that you can use: 

1. Start with clear communication goals

Before launching a single campaign, define what success looks like. Are you trying to:

• Inform members about upcoming contract votes?
• Mobilize healthcare workers for collective action?
• Re-engage inactive members?
  

Each goal demands a different approach — and different channels for union communication strategies. For example, SMS is ideal for reminders and mobilization, while emails and newsletters are more suitable for policy updates or longer-form information.

2. Choose the right mix of communication channels

Unions can’t rely on one tool. They combine multiple channels for maximum reach and engagement.

Union communication strategies tip: Use text broadcast to reach every member instantly, then follow up with peer-to-peer texting for one-on-one engagement.

3. Host events and community activities – Union communication strategies

Having fun and interacting outside of serious union business can significantly improve communication between union members. 

A strong sense of community is essential to foster a collaborative and supportive environment within the union. Think about it, 80% of employees feel stressed due to ineffective communication, and many complain about stressful work environments and a lack of support and collaboration. 

To build a strong union, you must ask yourself what you can do to associate your union with destressing and community. Events and community-building activities provide that solution.

Case study: Union Congregational Church

Consider how a congregation like Union Congregational Church ran small group and social events to build community. Their “ Congregational Connection ” program includes:

• Monthly women’s breakfast
• Bible study
• Movie nights
• Gentle yoga
• Casual get-together events

One event, for example, is a potluck with simple games and fellowship time — a relaxed, fun setting where members connect outside the formal worship context.

This type of gathering strengthens relationships, which in turn enhances trust and communication when official union conversations take place.

4. Provide regular updates as union communication strategies

Keeping your members informed regularly is one of the most essential union communication strategies. Frequent updates ensure that everyone remains aligned with the union’s direction and that potential obstacles or concerns are identified early.

Types of updates include:

• Negotiation updates: Employer proposals, contract talks, or breakdowns.
• Contract updates: Changes in wages, benefits, work hours, or rules.
• Workplace issues: Health, safety, staffing, workload, or pay concerns.
• Political advocacy: Legislative updates and ways members can participate.
• Training and education: Seminars, workshops, or online courses.
• Union events: Gatherings to foster engagement and camaraderie.
• Other activities Include Legal battles, grievance resolution, protests, and direct action.

Case study: Here is how NUHW reduced its text costs by 55%

Problem: The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) serves as a prime example of how unions can effectively communicate with members while reducing costs. NUHW needed to reach thousands of healthcare professionals with updates about negotiations, events, and advocacy campaigns. Here is how they did it with the help of CallHub.

Here’s what they did:

• Used CallHub’s text broadcast to send timely updates directly to members.
• Incorporated URLs to their website and event pages in every message, ensuring members could easily access more information.
• Leveraged CallHub’s URL shortener and MMS capabilities, allowing rich media messages (images, PDFs) while reducing message length and costs.

The results? NUHW reduced texting costs by 55% while increasing engagement and keeping members fully informed. Members were more likely to click links, RSVP to events, and respond to messages, creating a two-way communication loop that strengthened member participation.

Takeaway: Including links to your union’s website or social pages in every message, combined with URL shorteners and rich media, is a cost-effective way to improve member engagement — just like NUHW demonstrated. Read the full NUHW Case Study here.

5. Harness the power of the youth as union communication strategies

The youth have been at the forefront of social movements for quite some time. Whether it is the Youth Justice rally in New York or the Facing the Truth rally at Times Square. 

The youth are ready to make a difference, take action, and they have ideas. They are the future leaders, and union communication strategies that include them will be more effective.

Encourage the participation of young and new members in the union. Identify youth leaders and assign them to essential tasks within the union. If you want a fresh perspective on issues, you now know whom to contact.

6.  Create a safe space for union members to speak up – Union communication strategies

The unfortunate truth about leading a large group of people is that internal politics, popular cliques, and disagreements are inevitable. However, this should keep the mind that your union must be a safe space for members to express themselves.

More than ever, young people are turning to unions to express dissatisfaction with the cards they are being dealt – a pandemic, recessions, high cost of living, student debt, and decreasing wages. In addition, unions serve as an outlet for their political expression in an environment that suppresses them. 

The question is, how do you create a space that is safe for voicing opinions and ensuring everyone is heard, from the top management to the newest members?

Here are union communication strategies to create a safe space for conversation:

• Create a buddy system and connect a new union member with a senior member. A buddy can guide the member through the union’s functioning, exchange ideas, and voice opinions.
• Ask for feedback from all members on a monthly or quarterly basis. Understand what works and what does not work for members, and identify any steps you can take to bring about change.
• Add a suggestion box to every union meeting. Members can choose to drop suggestions, grievances, and complaints anonymously. At the end of the session, open the box and review these concerns to demonstrate accountability.
• Make ground rules for meetings. Ground rules could include not interrupting, maintaining silence when another member is speaking, and dedicating time for each member to speak during a meeting.

7. Use union communication tools that adhere to HIPAA standards

Healthcare unions often handle sensitive member data, making HIPAA compliance essential for protecting privacy and building trust. Using HIPAA-compliant union communication tools safeguards personal health information, prevents data breaches, and ensures compliance with legal requirements.

Why it matters:

• Protect member privacy: Keep health data secure during outreach or negotiations.
• Build trust: Members engage more when they know their information is safe.
• Stay compliant: Avoid costly fines and legal risks.

Quick start: Launch a member texting campaign

1. Choose a HIPAA-compliant texting platform, such as CallHub.
2. Segment your list by branch, interest, or department.
3. Draft simple, clear engagement messages.
4. Automate reminders for meetings or votes.
5. Track responses and repeat what works!

Takeaway: Communication is the heartbeat of your union

Modern unions win by communicating

• Clearly
• Personally, and 
• Consistently. 

With HIPAA-compliant workflows, smart automation, and real-time engagement tracking, CallHub helps you reach every member — and keep them involved and engaged.

👉 Start your next member engagement campaign with CallHub today.

FAQs on union communication strategies

1. What should be included in a union-communication strategies template?

A: A good template covers: key stakeholders (union members, leadership, employees), core messages and talking points, chosen communication channels and frequency, a timeline or schedule, feedback/listening mechanisms, and a crisis/escalation plan.

2. Can you give a quick example of a union-communication strategy for employees?

A: Yes—for example: hold monthly “listening sessions” with employees, send weekly short-update emails summarizing negotiation status, use peer-champions to relay messages, and maintain an anonymous suggestion box or digital form for employee concerns.

3. What are the key communication strategies for employees in a unionised environment?

A: Important strategies include: transparent updates on negotiations and benefits, enabling two-way feedback (not just one-way messages), ensuring consistency across channels, tailoring messages to employee segments, and proactively addressing concerns before they escalate.

4. What do the acronyms “TIPS” and “FOE” mean in union communications—and why do they matter?

A: Here is what they mean:

• FOE = Facts, Opinions, Examples: what employers can legally say during a union campaign.
  
• TIPS = Threats, Interrogation, Promises, Surveillance: what employers cannot do.
  They matter because violating TIPS can lead to unfair labour practice charges under the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and regulatory problems.
  

Shiksha Sharma

Shiksha Sharma is a Content Marketer with over 5 years of experience in the B2B SaaS industry. She has extensively written about software that helps organizations work easily. Her areas of research include politics, nonprofits, advocacy, and business.