Accurate member data is essential for a trade union of any size. If the purpose of a union is to build power and improve members’ experiences in workplaces, it is fundamental that it is clear who members are, where they work and how to get hold of them.
This is especially true in the context of statutory balloting – if we don’t know where our members are living, we can’t send them ballot papers; or worse, we send them to the wrong address, which is then counted as a nil return. If other contact details such as e-mail address or phone number are out of date, it can be almost impossible to reach these members.
Unions have been trying a variety of methods to check member data, such as working with activists to data check using peer-to-peer SMS, using surveys, or giving reps data checking tools to use in the workplace. However, making this process more targeted and efficient is always going to be a priority.
Continue reading Checking member data with commercial data cleaning services: NASUWT case study