Early in October of 2006 the 1.3 million member American Federation of Teachers announced that it would be the first union in the United States to use text messaging to mobilize its members. Today there are over 4.1 billion texts sent every day.

Dec, 10th 2009 TextMyUnion launched the first Unified group messaging service designed for exclusively for Labor Union organizations. It's function is to allow Union managers to stay in touch with its members in real time.

It's first client Carpenters Union Local 743 in Bakersfield, CA. has elected to use the system to communicate membership dues, meetings and member retention. 

Who's Using It?

• AFT- 2006 Teachers sent out the first union text message to its 1.3 million members.
• UFCW- Local sends out 70,000 messages a month for contract negotiations.
• SEIU- National convention uses 2 way text messaging.
• LIUNA- Member retention, meeting notifications, election updates.

 

Why Are They Using It?

A few facts about text messages...

• The United States has the most heavily used message system in the world. Each day there are well over 4 billion messages sent out.
• 79% of the population of the United States owns a cell phone and is already available on over 98% of those devices.
• Only 10% of text messages are categorized as SPAM as opposed to 65% of e-mail being SPAM.
• Text messages are usually read within 15 minutes of being received and responded to within one hour.
• The average age of "texters" is 38 years old.
• More people read text messages than email or traditional mail..
•  

The way it works is

1. Members come to the TextMyUnion portal custom designed for the Labor Organization. IE Carpenters Local 743
2. Managers login with a user name and password.
3. Create groups and subgroups.
4. Type a message and press send.

The benefits of Text Messaging are

1. Cost reduction of postage, printing and time.
2. Constant Contact with your members
3. Your competition is using it.

TextMyUnion is very user friendly Unions only pay for the amount of members that subscribe to the group.

1. No monthly contracts
2. Unlimited use
3. No per text fees

After all, use of mobile phones and text messaging is far more widespread than the use of email and the web.

Unions in developed countries which do not use text messaging are not only failing to use a cheap and effective way to reach large numbers of their members, especially younger ones.

 

For a free 5 minute demo please contact Mike @ 800 741-2049 ext 101

or visit TextMyUnion