Chemical Workers' Union uses innovatively
electronic communication tools

Helsinki (14.08.2007 - Juhani Artto) In June, the web site of the Chemical Workers' Union experienced a record number of hits. During that time - within the space of a few weeks - the union successfully negotiated new national collective agreements for all of its organising sectors, except for two, namely the laundry industry and the garment and textile industries.

The rush to the web pages was not only due to the frenetic activity surrounding the negotiations but also to the innovative use of available electronic communication tools. The application was simple but effective.

The union combined the use of its web site's intranet with text messaging (SMS, short message service). Altogether 1,700 members of the bargaining committees, shop stewards and the union's decision makers belonged to one or more SMS groups. There were 23 of these groups. Thanks to the union's developed member registry, it was not a burdensome job to create these groups.

In the course of the rapidly progressed bargaining process, members of these groups received from the union on average 6 text messages. For those group members who did not use e-mail, the member registry printed address labels and the information was sent by ordinary mail.

Any time there was something to report to members of this or that group, its members, without delay, received a SMS. "Negotiations will continue on Thursday at 10AM. Read more at the intranet", a typical SMS said to let members know what was going on, explains Tarja Paajanen, a journalist responsible for the union's web site.

SMS was the most effective way to deliver a message to concerned persons in the union, as, except for a few individuals, all have a mobile telephone and have the equipment almost always at hand. There are far more people who have a keen interest in keeping abreast of situations but who are not accustomed to check their e-mail boxes regularly, let alone the union's web site, and the intranet. In their case, using SMS alarm messages proved to be the solution. In this way the information, from the union to concerned persons and groups, flowed effectively.

The system also enabled rapid reactions from rank and file people to the union's key persons, whenever that was needed.

In the most hectic week, in June, the union's web site had 69,000 hits. It was over three times more than in regular times such as spring 2007. Also the number of different visitors to the site increased correspondingly. Both rank and file members and people not belonging to the union were unexceptionally motivated to click onto the web site of the Chemical Workers' Union.

Case register

Another important application at the web site of the Chemical Workers' Union is the register of interpretations concerning interesting court decisions. The register also functions as a data bank with regard to settled practises in various industrial sectors, belonging to the union's organising field. The corresponding union officials are responsible for maintaining and updating the register.

"The register and the other material at our intranet is a service only for rank and file members", Paajanen explains. "There is an ongoing discussion on what material should be available strictly for members and what material for other interested people, potential members included."

"Generally, we have a high organising rate but the dispersion of work places, has made the need to convincingly approach potential members on a more permanent and urgent basis. Here, the web site has an important role to play, especially among younger employees."