The first days on a new job can be tough, but they are made easier when you have a friendly face to turn to for advice, support and connection. By extending a hand to new co-workers, new employee outreach builds relationships that grow our worker power. All of us can take part in welcoming new co-workers and introducing them to our union. 

AFSCME Oregon Council 75/Local 328 members at Oregon Health and Science University have new employee outreach down to a science. Their guiding principle is simple: the earlier the new employee outreach, the more possibilities to engage their new co-workers – and they’re right!  

Local 328 leaders have created systems to make sure that happens. They set a measurable goal: make sure every new employee is contacted by a co-worker at least three times within their first couple of weeks on the job. When Local 328 members reach out to new co-workers, they introduce themselves, answer questions and extend an invite to join an upcoming union meeting. When negotiating their contract, Local 328 members invited new co-workers to rallies and town halls so they could understand what was happening with their union contract and they could share in the action.  

Most importantly, every conversation Local 328 leaders have with new co-workers includes an invitation to join us by becoming a member. By joining our AFSCME family, new hires are gaining a powerful voice on the job and support whenever they need it. These new employee outreach strategies are small steps that have a big impact in strengthening and growing our union.  

Watch the latest Union 411 installment for a deep dive on new employee outreach. If your local union does not have a new employee outreach program, you can start one. And you can apply tips from the video to connect with co-workers and build a stronger union. 

This is the latest video in the Union 411 series, which explains union basics and how to build strong local unions. Each video highlights a specific topic like the power of legislative action, the role of stewards and collective bargaining. 

When new co-workers feel connected to our union, and when they join and become active, it builds power for all of us. And that power leads to a better life for all workers.