1. Do you have good people skills?

Would you describe yourself as being a good listener, communicator or persuader?  As an organizer you will need to have all of these skills because you will be reaching out to workers as well as employers and asking them to take a chance on a better future. These are skills that would be valued by any organization trying to gain influence and market share. It takes a certain type of individual to motivate people to embrace change.

2. Are you a self starter?

For you to be an effective organizer you are going to have to get out in the field and make contact with the people doing the work. You can’t wait to be told what to do. You have to have a plan. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take orders or be team player, on the contrary. You just don’t have the luxury of waiting around for things to happen by themselves.   

3. Are you outgoing?

Approaching workers on a jobsite or contractors at their office requires an organizer to put oneself out there. You have to be comfortable with yourself in order to make the contacts needed to be successful. This is not for the faint of heart. You’re going to have to deal with a lot of rejection. You will need to be able to brush it off and not take it personal. Then come back again and again until the person is ready because you understand the value of organizing.  

4. Are you an active member?

Although some unions hire outside the union most require that you are already a member because it’s believed that a person will have a vested interest in the success of the organization. Being an active member means regularly attending meetings, activities and volunteering your time to help your union gain strength. Make an effort to volunteer on a picket line or on a precinct walk. Find some way to contribute your time and talents.

5. Are you already organizing?

Are you referring candidates? Are you referring contractors?  You may be surprised to hear it described as organizing, but that is what you are doing, recruiting people to consider a better more profitable way of working and conducting business. 

Hopefully these questions have shed some light on the subject of union organizing and helped you discover if union organizing is for you. The labor movement needs activists dedicated to increasing its membership and influence.  If this describes you, consider union organizing for a career. It can be very challenging and rewarding.

Exercise 1: Smile when answering the phone.

Try it and see if it makes a difference. Having read about this technique a friend decided to give it a try. People immediately noticed the change and complimented him on his uplifting attitude. It’s especially good for deflecting negative energy when making cold calls.  You’ll find you will be less affected by frustrated callers and you might even cheer people up.

Exercise 2: Use the person’s name.

People love to hear their name because it demonstrates that you are listening and personalizes the conversation. It shows a certain amount of respect and admiration and also shows that you have above average people skills. Go ahead; use the persons name during a phone call.

Exercise 3: Tell the person you are glad they called.

Let the other person know how much you appreciate what they did whether they took your call or called you back. Little things make a big difference. If you don’t say it they may never know. There’s no need to go overboard, just remind the person you care.

Working the phones is like delivering any professional business presentation. It takes practice to master the techniques needed to gain instant rapport. The more you do it the more comfortable you will become. Soon you will be making great first impressions, connecting on a whole new level with contractors and candidates alike. Add these exercises to your routine and you should see results within a few days.

1)      Increase Wages for Union Members – When a union controls the work in a given area it is in a better position to negotiate higher wages for workers. Increased union market share insures unions will be the predominant player in their industry and able to bargain from a point of strength. More members mean better contract negotiations. The leadership of your union knows this and that is why they are working to increase market share. It will help in future contract negotiations. It’s a fact that areas where union density is the highest tend to have higher rates of pay than those that don’t. Union members earn 27% higher wages than nonunion workers according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

2)      Increase Retirement and Health Benefits – The more people contributing into a retirement and health plan the stronger the plan will be. This is just one of the many reasons to actively recruit new members and contractors into the union. Fully 81% of union members have medical coverage while only 50% of nonunion workers have medical coverage, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Similarly, union workers have pensions 72% of the time compared to only 15% of nonunion workers.

3)      Improve Working Conditions - Unions give workers a voice in the workplace. This results in a safer working environment and a more democratic approach to solving problems on the job. The greater the strength of the union the more influence that workers have for improving conditions throughout the industry.

4)      More Employment Opportunities – Signing contractors increases employment opportunities for members. Encouraging union contractors to bid projects that might otherwise go nonunion helps employ members as well. Training members to become union contractors further increases employment opportunities.

5)      Fight Corporate Greed - Unions are under attack by well funded nonunion corporate industry groups bent on turning back the clock on wage increases and worker rights (ie: Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Center for Union Facts, National Right to Work). Their attorneys actively lobby against workplace safety rules, prevailing wage laws and project labor agreements. They spend millions of dollars each year in attempts to stifle gains by labor through expensive litigation and support of politicians who oppose unions. They want to take your right to belong to a union away from you. The way to counter such attacks is by aggressively organizing the entire industry.

You can help your union organize by volunteering to:

• Serve on an volunteer committee
• Picket jobsites
• House call nonunion workers
• Voter registration
• Phone banking
• Precinct walking
• Hand billing
• Bannering

These are just a few of the ways you can help organize the construction industry. Get involved in the process and become a more active participant. Ask a union representative how you can help. You will find that you “get much more out of it than you ever put in”, as they say. You have the ability to create change in the workplace and improve people’s lives.

Over the next several years construction unions will work to keep up with the growing demand for qualified craft workers and contractors. Trade unions are actively seeking additional members and contractors to grow their ranks. Large numbers of union members are expected to retire while at the same time many young people are choosing to attend college or pursue other careers outside of the construction trades.  This is expected to create a shortage of skilled workers and result in increased opportunities for remaining construction workers. 

The labor movement has been focusing money and resources toward organizing at an unprecedented level since the mid 1980’s. This trend is expected to increase.

Commit to organizing the entire construction industry. Organizing is a vital mission and the responsibility of every union member. Stand up for justice and worker solidarity and never back down.

1. Sign up for a class – Take an industry related course. It may be something that you need to brush up on like blueprint reading or estimating. Perhaps there is a subject you wish to specialize in such as welding or conduit bending.

2. Read a book on the subject – No matter what trade you are in, someone has taken the time to write a book about it. Knowing about your trade will make it more interesting. Go to www.buildersbook.com for a complete list of construction trade related titles. There are books about the history, the science, the business, and processes. You can find my book on construction organizing at www.biggerlabor.com . Find one that interests you and read it cover to cover.

3. Subscribe to a trade publication – Choose one that focuses on your specific industry and read it cover to cover. For example if you’re an electrician you might order Electrical Contractor Magazine. Go to www.freeconstructionmagazines.com or www.freetrademagazinesource.com for a complete list of trade publications available to workers in the construction industry. Order catalogs from the advertisers, they will be happy to add you to their mailing list. This is a great way to keep current on innovative products and improved ways of doing things.

4. Register for an industry conference – These events always attract top performers. Sign up to attend a free Construction Expo at www.calconexpo.com . You can sit in on a demonstration, network with industry leaders, peruse the vendor booths, learn about green building, you might even go home with some free samples. These events are helpful for those interested in contracting opportunities with the government because public agencies often participate.

5. Make a habit of working safe – Analyze how you could work more safely and practice until it becomes a habit. Resolve to work in a safe manner and use personal protective equipment no matter how tired you are or how tight the deadline. If you practice not cutting corners now it will become second nature as your career progresses.

6. Upgrade your tools – Nothing says amateur like the wrong tools. Buy the best quality you can afford. They will last longer and you’ll save money in the long run.  Take good care of your tools and they’ll take care of you. This includes keeping an eye on them so they don’t get lost or stolen. Check tools often and repair or replace any that aren’t in good shape.

7. Take an apprentice under your wing – Teach what you know to someone with less experience. Chances are someone took an interest in showing you the ropes. Now it’s your turn to return the favor. The most influential industry leaders are often instructors who commit to sharing their knowledge. They know the best way to learn a subject is by teaching, plus it’s an opportunity to give back to the industry.

8. Ask for feedback – Request an honest evaluation from a trusted friend or coworker to find out where you might need improvement. Take this information and learn from it. Ask what traits might be holding you back. Listen without getting defensive and use the opportunity to evaluate your skills. Don’t be too quick to dismiss what you hear. Commit to constant improvement throughout your career and you’ll stay ahead of the competition.

9. Speak to a career counselor familiar with your field – Find out if there are opportunities you should be taking advantage of. You might be missing out on a higher salary or a growing segment of the industry. Ask what skills are most in demand and what you need to acquire them. Reexamine your career goals to make certain you are on the path to success.

Once you’ve followed these steps you’ll have new insight about your role in the construction industry and have a greater understanding of the people in it. You’ll find yourself on a path to success where you control your own career

My guess is that there are opportunities for greater communication.

Take This Simple 3-Question Construction Organizing Quiz To Discover How Good Your Follow Up Is 

1) Do you return all your calls?

People expect to be contacted in a short period of time. If you don’t it won’t take long before you get a bad reputation. By not returning calls you are sending a message that says, “you really aren’t that important to me.” This may not be the case, but there’s an assumption. Imagine the opportunities you could be missing out on. Return every call and you will gain the respect of your candidates.

2) Do you mail out follow up letters?

People will forget most of what you said on the phone. They will get lost on the way to your office. Some won’t bring the documentation you require. Others will feel confused or neglected, not sure what you expected them to do next. Here’s an opportunity to set the record straight by highlighting what was said in your telephone conversation. Provide a checklist of needed paperwork, an explanation of how you intend to help the person. You might even provide a map to your location with office hours and major cross streets. This will help to reinforce your instructions.

3) Do you gather enough information?

So you have the persons first and last name, but do you have their address, phone number and email address?  How about knowing what contractors the person has worked for, their level of education and how much is being earned? Think how much better you will be able to serve the person if you had more ways to keep in touch. Give yourself plenty of options for contacting the person and give them options for contacting you.

There are some great reasons for doing this. For example; when things get busy you will rely on your database to fill positions or seek referrals of friends and coworkers. If a question comes up about a certain employer you will know just who to contact to get the answer. You will have a better understanding of who the players in your industry are and better communication with those affected.

If you found yourself not taking advantage of follow up opportunities in my quiz, you’re not alone. If you want the benefit of more members, improved satisfaction and, higher percentage of retention then you need to take action today.

1. Trickle down economics – The lie goes like this; the rich get richer, and it’s a good thing for the middle-class and poor because the spending leads to more and better opportunities      through job creation. They argue that a rising tide floats all boats, but they’re the only ones who can afford one. Meanwhile you drown in debt.

Trickle down economics was at the forefront of the Reagan Era when unions such as the Air Traffic Controllers were crushed. It wasn’t good for workers then and it’s not good for workers now.

 2. What’s good for Wall Street is good for Main Street – If this lie seems similar to trickle down economics you’re partly right. The lie goes like this; rich investors should not pay taxes on capitol gains because that money is the grease that keeps the economy going. After all you might discourage the rich from participating in the market and the middle-class and poor will suffer through loss of job opportunities. 

As we saw with the 700 billion dollar bailout of Wall Street in 2008, wealthy CEO’s and millionaire investors get the government to save their corporations when they mismanage them. The argument then becomes the government can’t let us fail or everyone will be dragged down with us and lose their job and the government will lose tax revenues. Of course, it is the poor and middle-class that got stuck holding the bag when CEO’s of major corporations fall asleep at the wheel.

3. Free trade is good for American workers – The lie goes like this; the benefit of being able to purchase less expensive imported goods will offset any pain caused by loss of jobs at home.  Ask yourself; is it good when jobs get shipped overseas? Is it true that Americans won’t do the work? Or is it more likely that they won’t do the work for the low wages being offered?  Is it really a benefit to ship products half way around the globe when they can be made here at home?

Lies such as these are an insult to our intelligence.  If not countered and countered vigorously they somehow become accepted as fact by the general public.

Labor needs advocates who will counter such falsehoods. Union organizers are uniquely suited for the job. Their ability to reach out and persuade workers gives them an edge. Personal contact with workers at their place of employment gives organizers credibility.

They need the benefits of being a union signatory contractor such as access to qualified workers to secure a specific project.

Follow these steps to get started:

• Identify contractors doing work in your area. You can do this by creating a simple data base and adding to it as you go along. Record information you gather about employers such as key individuals, license numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and specialty. As this list grows so will your knowledge of the industry. Pick the top 10 contractors you would like to partner with.

• Cold call these contractors with the sole purpose of starting a dialog. You are not trying to close the deal over the phone. You are simply trying to start a dialog and answer any questions they have.

• Have all of your talking points in front of you and be prepared to answer any questions. If you don’t have the answer the best thing is to admit it and offer to get back with the person at a later time. End the call by offering to schedule a meeting or send additional information.

• Send follow-up letters as a way to keep the lines of communication open. Direct mail experts have found it takes seven attempts before most respond. Some organizers send a thank you card with a brief note expressing gratitude for taking the time to speak with them. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of such courtesy.

• Schedule a meeting to discuss opportunities with the union. It may take several calls before they agree to a meeting but you will never know until you try. Schedule the meeting in their office, at your training facility or over lunch. You want the person to feel at ease. Schedule the meeting in the morning as people seem more open than later in the day. Never meet with a contractor unless you have a contract prepared. Be ready to have them sign even at an initial meeting. This does happen more than you think.

• Take notes each time you call and use information gathered to tailor your message to their needs. Offer solutions to their problems and you will be rewarded with their attention.

• Organize your materials in a neat and tidy fashion.

You will have to rely on your gut to know if the person is ready to partner with your organization. The key is to answer all of their questions to their satisfaction and not sugarcoat anything because it will cause you problems in the future. Your reputation is on the line. Avoid the hard sell but at the same time don’t leave any meeting without asking if they are ready to sign.

It all starts with a single phone call. That next call could be the one that lands you a major shop.

Good Luck!

1. Rules For Radicals; A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky

This book was first published in 1971 and is a manifesto of sorts for social change. It’s a very readable book that covers everything you need to know about community based organizing and making a difference. Saul Alinsky gets it right. Management knows this; so they’re reading it too.

2. Great Labor Quotations; Sourcebook and Reader by Peter Bollen

The author put together a fine collection of quotes from Labor’s greatest leaders. It’s inspirational as well as readable. Reading quotes from long past labor activists helps remind ourselves that we are all fighting similar struggles. The names and the places have changed but things such as living wages, medical care and retiring with dignity are the same issues fought for today. This book is a joy to read and you can rely on it to give you a shot of inspiration when you need it.

3. Organize To Win; New Research on Union Strategies by Kate Bronfenbrenner

Organize To Win is on the syllabus for many organizing classes. There are case studies and actual campaigns that are highlighted by various organizers from different industries. It’s interesting to see how different unions approach the subject of organizing. The author supports the use of data in the form of surveys, research and analysis to gauge workers attitudes during campaigns. In real world situations however organizing is less about statistics and more about service and helping individuals reach their full potential.

4. The Campaign Guide; Organizing the Construction Industry by the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department

This is a spiral reference guide designed to lie flat, that organizers can turn to for answers about legal questions that relate to organizing. For example, let’s say you were wondering what the different types of picketing are and what constitutes a secondary boycott? You would simply refer to the chapter on Picketing in the Construction Industry and voila you have your answer. The sections on communicating with workers and forming alliances are very practical. This book is not available in stores.

5. Bigger Labor; A Crash Course For Construction Union Organizers by Bob Oedy

Whether you just got hired, or are a seasoned veteran, if you want to succeed in construction organizing, Bigger Labor will show you the way. You’ll learn the nuts and bolts of construction organizing – the things they never taught you in the apprenticeship. Plus, this book is chock full of useful worksheets and checklists so you can take what you learn and apply it immediately and directly to your organizing campaign.

1. Not Returning Phone Calls- Candidates, members and contractors all expect to have phone calls returned in a timely manner. Some organizers forget this fact at their own expense. If you fail to return your calls, expect to receive a call from your Supervisor or Business Manager. Nothing says, “I don’t care” like an unreturned phone call. Consider scheduling a time each day for returning calls and stick to it.
2. Hanging Around the Office- Get out in the field and make contact with the workers and contractors. Don’t let distractions in the office; phone calls, paperwork, member’s problems, etc. steal time from your organizing duties. Get out there and make a difference.
3. Failure to Complete Written Reports- If you’re requested to turn-in daily logs or other written reports on your activities make these a priority. This is an opportunity to inform your supervisor of your actions. Don’t just assume he or she knows what you are doing. Schedule time each day to complete paperwork and turn it in like clockwork. Don’t wait until you’ve been told. If you’ve been warned about this problem in the past, consider reevaluating your priorities. If you don’t, someone else will.
4. Bad Mouthing Your Boss or Coworkers- It may take a year or so but eventually this leads to a bad attitude and once you lose attitude there’s no getting it back. It “will” get back to them. If you make a habit of speaking ill of people, soon everyone will wonder what you’ve said about them when they weren’t around. Successful people always have something positive to say or they just stay silent.
5. Waiting to be Told What to Do- Most organizers are self starters. If you haven’t been given an assignment, make one. Pick a project that you will be interested in and throw all your energy into it. If it’s interesting to you, you’ll be that much more effective and more likely to make a difference. Most organizers are given a brief tour of their jurisdiction and a few guidelines to start, and then turned loose. So don’t feel like you’re alone.
6. Avoiding Workers Who Lack Experience- You may be the only representative of the union the worker ever contacts. It’s important that you do everything you can to help a worker; that means every worker. It might be to find work, provide information or just to listen, but remember, “organizing is a service industry”.
7. Selling the Union- If you’re “selling the union”, you’re probably not “listening”, because you’re doing all the talking. Remember, you’re not a used car salesman. The best union organizers learn to “listen”. By really listening you’ll find out what the “issue” is so you can better serve your client.
8. Not Following-Up with Contacts- When you receive a phone call or meet with a client that’s just the start. You need to be sure that you are staying in touch with the person in order to be successful. Consider mailing a follow-up letter to the individual and include your contact info or business card. Thank clients for meeting with you and encourage them to stay in touch.
9. Failing to Orientate New Members- New members have a lot of questions and by helping to answer these questions you can help the person assimilate into the union. Does your union offer a new member orientation class or a mentoring program where a new member is paired up with a volunteer who’s familiar with your union’s culture? Perhaps you could invite the new member to join your organizing committee? Find some way to help each new member fit in and take ownership of their union.
10. Burning Out- The long hours required to organize can take a toll on a person. The hours and days spent away from home and family can cause stress on a marriage. Find a way to balance work and family. Take time-off when available, eat right and schedule time for exercise.

The turn-over rate of construction organizers is tragic for the labor movement. There are no signs that anything will be done to solve the problem anytime soon. The best way to insure your success as an organizer is to avoid making these ten common mistakes so you can continue to help your union expand in membership and influence.

Bob Oedy helps union organizers succeed in the construction industry by providing solutions to dramatically increase their level of performance and productivity without burning out. For free information on how you can recruit more members, sign contractors and gain jobs for your union go to => www.unionorganizer.com

Did you know that most foremen know exactly who they are going to let go weeks before they ever hand out a pink slip? It’s a standard practice in construction to make a “Lay off List” with the names of the workers on a crew in order of production. Call it a “Lay off List” a “Head Count” a “Totem Pole” call it whatever you like, but you’re on it. The real question is, “Are you on the top or the bottom”?

Often a foreman will be told, “Lay-off three workers” and given only a moment to make the decision. The names on the bottom are the first to go. You may not be aware that it’s a fluid list and that names move up and down as production increases and decreases. It’s not just productiveness that plays a role in who stays or who goes, let’s not kid ourselves. Obviously there’s room for prejudices and cronyism to take place as well, but we won’t get into that now. By the way, your foreman’s not the only one deciding who stays or goes. It may be a Project Manager or even a customer that may see you leaning against a ladder and make a split second evaluation of your work ethic. It’s not fair. That’s for sure, but unless your reputation as a hard worker precedes you, it might be too late for anyone to step in and rescue you. Some will work on many job sites and somehow managed to miss the lay offs. Is it because they’re luckier than the next person? No. It’s just that they know the ten tips for staying employed in the construction industry.

1. Walk with a Purpose- Don’t meander around on a construction site.
2. Pack a Lunch- When the lunch truck doesn’t show it won’t matter.
3. Show up Everyday- Even mediocre workers outlast those who don’t.
4. Show up On Time- This one really pays.
5. Be Flexible- Be prepared to do any task assigned, even sweeping.
6. Update your Skills- Take industry related classes.
7. Be Reachable- Buy an answering machine or cell phone.
8. Have Reliable Transportation- Buy the nicest vehicle you can afford.
9. Have A Positive Attitude- There’s no “can’t” in construction.
10. Look The Part- Dress like a professional tradesman.

Well there you have it; ten tips for staying employed in the construction industry. They may seem obvious but if that’s the case why are so many workers caught in the rut of constantly being let go? If you’re fortunate enough to work with some of the best tradesmen in the field, you’ll notice that they seem to have these qualities. Consider yourself lucky. Not everyone had the pleasure of apprenticing with such professionals. If you follow these simple steps, you will stay employed longer, earn more money and avoid having to tell your family that the holidays are going to be tight this year. Still it’s a good idea to save a little money for those slow periods.

Do you know someone that’s in need of a little guidance, perhaps a new apprentice or even a journeyman who just can’t seem to stay employed? Why not take a moment to print this article and share the knowledge that might help that person reach their full potential. Some things are best shared.

Bob Oedy helps workers succeed in the electrical construction industry by connecting highly skilled professionals with productive contractors to increase profit and value for both. For free information on how you can receive the best training in the industry, increase your income, secure your family’s future, and retire with dignity go to => www.unionorganizer.com