Swedish Unions revive recruitment efforts

Whenever the company hires new staff, the branch holds an information meeting for new employees. "That gives us an opportunity to explain what the union stands for and why we are needed. It usually results in a useful dialogue with the new employees, who are frequently young people and often do not know much about the union's values," Stefan adds.

But a good introduction is not enough, says Stefan. The union must be alive all the time. The union must be visible and accessible for the members, who must be kept properly informed and have an opportunity to participate. The Bollnäs plant branch has found a new approach. "If we gather everyone together at a big meeting in the dining hall, usually only two or three people will take the floor. The rest keep quiet," says Stefan. "For that reason we have tried another way."

Member meetings take place on a small scale so that as many people as possible have an opportunity to speak. Members are divided into small groups of about 15 people. To bring the union even closer to employees, they hold annual IF Metall meetings at the plant. A number of issues are discussed in small groups and they also conduct a survey among the members.

In that way the branch gets answers on how union work can be improved and developed. Approximately one out of four branch members attend the IF Metall meetings.

"Through the IF Metall meeting we get to know what the members expect of the union," Stefan says, noting "that puts pressure on us and lays the basis for the branch's action plan. In addition, it gives us a good basis for working with our superiors. We can show the survey results and point to what needs to be changed at the workplace."

It is also important that elected officials be equipped to work effectively for the members. During the first year an elected official sits in on meetings to listen and learn. Then he or she undergoes a training program which includes law, contracts and negotiating techniques. All officials are given their own areas of responsibility.