Swedish Unions revive recruitment efforts

During the crisis autumn of 2008, the loss in members slowed down. The economic crisis has had the effect that more people are joining the union.

Inga-Lill Samuelsson thinks the project has so far yielded good results. "But it's hard to say how many of the approximately 23,000 new members joined thanks to our efforts or because of the crisis."

The union's 52 branches are responsible for their own recruiting. Each branch can request economic support from the union for its recruiting efforts.

"The branches have done a good job. Many have conducted training to attract more members, and to attract members who will stay in the organization," says Inga-Lill. "Our elected officials need to be strengthened through training and to receive tips on debating and reporting."

At first the project was aimed at the smallest enterprises. This is because the degree of organization in them is usually lower than in big enterprises where unions often have their own branches with outreach activities. At the smaller workplaces the union is therefore less often seen.

"The important thing is that the individual be asked: 'will you join?' Someone has to ask the question. Then many do join," Inga-Lill says.

That applies both for finding new sustainable work methods and rediscovering tried and true forms of work, says Inga-Lill. "We have to explain that we are stronger if more people join."