How Online Organizing is a Game Changer for Unions

Online spaces have allowed unions more opportunities than ever to communicate and organize within their workplaces, both at local and national levels.

As a growing majority of Americans express their approval of labor unions, their ability to influence corporations through digital communication and collaboration will make collective bargaining a common and efficient practice.

Although union members now have a wealth of tools available to make online organizing easier, they still need the ability to bring together a wide range of workers and interests in order to generate a common consensus.

How Mobile Organizing Has Impacted the Power of Protests

Thanks to email, social media, and virtual message boards, groups from every walk of life have the ability to congregate, share and amplify key demands for their cause.

While these digital groups, (MoveOn.org, Reddit.com, Twitter, etc.) can easily rally a community to come together for a common issue, those same groups struggle with execution and resolution building - often due to a lack of decision-making and structure.

In this day and age, workers are able to look up labor laws with just one Google Search click, and with just a few more clicks, they can find like-minded allies within their industry to rally with. If employees have the ability to research, review and promote their demands with just a few button taps, why not have the power to schedule a union vote or ballot referendum within reach as well?

Why Voting Matters When Collective Bargaining

Many employees want more clout at work—to leverage better pay and benefits, but also non-monetary things, such as more predictable work schedules or a stronger say in workplace safety or procedures.

And it's a good bet that many would join a union, if signing up were easier for workers to do, and harder for employers to stop.

The problem is that union organizing can often be a low-tech affair—clunky, contentious, confusing—and large corporations aren't keen on making it easier for workers. 

But virtual labor organizing could change that.

The Beneficiaries of Online Voting in Unions

Organizing a union through the use of online tools would allow employees to band together in a more organic, grassroots effort that does not require outside help to get things started. 

Who would benefit the most from an easier union election process?

• People who are short on time

Those who work in service jobs or on tight schedules are usually short on spare time, making it harder for them to organize effectively for stronger workplace protections. Creating ballots online and using email to share key issues with employees at every level of the company can help establish a stronger union from the onset. 

• Employees Who Are Constantly on the Move

Quick voting solutions like ours offer mostly online businesses and delivery services a better way to vote on the issues that matter most to them. Since it can be hard to get workers in the same room together at a convenient time, running a virtual campaign and elections gives frequently traveling employees an opportunity to participate in vital decisions.

• Unions looking to save costs and time on voting

Postage and logistics for paper ballots can be high. For unions that prioritize cost-cutting measures, online voting is cheaper, more accurate and easier to audit.

• Teachers Who Need to Run Votes in a Hurry 

Working in education requires a high level of discretion when it comes to ballot issues.  Teachers’ unions are frequently called on to make major decisions and online voting offers a more secure and confidential than paper ballots. Enterprise voting solutions are cheaper and more efficient than single-use ballot tools. 

eBallot provides a platform where everyone’s voice can be heard. We exist to give people a voice and transform the way that decisions are made, so if you’re ready to run your next union or collective bargaining ballot, request an election quote today.