Public and Commercial Services Union

The most important part of any campaign is to ensure that it's properly planned. A well planned campaign is more likely to be successful, than one that is put together at the last minute without a strategy.

Give yourself time

You need to allow yourself plenty of time to give proper consideration to the following questions:

• How many people will we need to help?
• What materials will we need?
• How can we use this opportunity to encourage more members to get active in PCS?
• How does this fit in with our group/branch organising plan?
• How many members are we aiming to recruit?

Getting started

Before confirming arrangements for your activity, contact your nearest PCS regional office to discuss your plans. Every regional Office has either a dedicated organiser or an officer with organising responsibilities.

You'll  find a list of these offices and their telephone numbers on the PCS where I live pages.

PCS organisers will help you put together a plan for increasing membership in your workplace.

Why is recruitment important?

Building the union and recruiting more members should be everyone's priority. This should not be a once-a-year event, but an ongoing process. The more members we have, the stronger we are. This means that we will have more influence with employers, politicians and government and will be more successful in improving life for our members.

When's the best time to run a recruitment campaign?

Choosing the best time to run activity will affect your success. Avoid weeks when large numbers of staff are likely to be on holiday, such as Bank Holiday weeks or half term.

Consider whether there will be other events taking place at the same time that may compete with your campaign. Try to avoid weeks when the workplace may be busier than usual, as staff may not feel able to devote enough time to you. You may be more successful running a number of one-day events, rather than one weeklong campaign.

Think about part-time workers, shift workers, workers off sick or on holiday and those who job-share. Make sure that they are not excluded from your campaign.

Surveys show that most non-members, when asked why they have not joined the union, say that it's because they've  never been asked.

Where should I recruit people?

The most effective way to increase membership is to negotiate desktop access. This means being able to walk around the workplace, speaking to workers at their desks. Ensure that you check with them that it is convenient to talk and remain polite at all times.

If you are unable to secure desktop access, then consider alternatives. Offer open meetings and even meetings away from the workplace, where some staff may feel more comfortable away from the attention of management.

Newsletters and leaflets on 'hot-issues' will be effective in encouraging workers to talk to you. If you can't negotiate access, ask activists to make sure that everyone gets a leaflet. You may also consider giving out leaflets to staff as they arrive at work in the morning. A leaflet won't recruit a new member on its own, but it may encourage a potential new member to come and talk to you to find out more about the union.

How do I go about recruiting?

Don't try to 'sell' the union. Few people join the union because of its insurance schemes or death benefit. Most people join because they have, or anticipate having, an issue at work that they are not happy about.

Let the potential member talk to you. Find out about them by asking them open questions. Ask about their work, their workplace, their supervisor or manager, their pay, their treatment at work etc. Try to discover what their 'key issue' is.

Show interest, be aware of your body language and, most importantly, listen to this person. You may be the only person that has been prepared to listen to him/her discuss this matter. Allow them to finish talking before you reply.

Explain that the only way to change the current situation is to join the union. Explain what the union is and how it works. Explain that members decide union policy and the importance of getting organised at work. Show them that the union is successful by giving examples of recent successes.

Briefly explain the role of the workplace rep and branch and where members fit in. Tell them how much it will cost.

Finally, ask them how they will be successful in changing things at work, without joining a union. Then ask them to join PCS there and then, without taking the form away to complete. If they do take the form away, arrange a time to meet up with them, so that they can return it to you. Explain the joining process and what they can expect to receive from the union.

What resources are available?

Resources for your campaign will fall into three categories.

People

All branch activists should take part in the campaign. If additional support is required, talk to your PCS regional office about this. Some Regions have a number of activists who are willing to support local campaigns.

Leaflets and newsletters

Make your campaign relevant to the workplace. Produce and distribute a small leaflet advertising the campaign in the weeks prior to it taking place. Produce a newsletter with the names of local union representatives and activists to give out to all members. Use this to advertise an open meeting. Highlight some of the key issues in the workplace and explain what the union is doing about them.

See the 10 reasons to join PCS page for ideas to include in your leaflet/newsletter.

We also have a wide range of literature (including application forms, posters, flyers) that can be ordered through your regional organiser. You can download a literature order form  - see the resources box above.

Promotional items

These can be obtained from your regional office. We have a number of items, such as coasters, pens and badges that can be given to new members.

Other items such as mugs, lanyards and mouse-mats can be obtained for distribution on a more limited basis, through a prize draw or by offering each new member the opportunity to choose one of these items.  You can download a promotional items order from - see the box above.

It isn't possible, or practical, to give all these items to new members. Speak to your regional organiser for more information on this.

After the campaign

Aim to keep the profile of the union high. This should apply after the campaign as well as during it. Ensure that noticeboards have posters and plenty of leaflets are available. Every area should have a representative or someone willing to distribute union literature.

It is important members understand that the union is an organisation that exists inside their workplace and is not an outside body that only arrives once a year to recruit.

Send all new membership forms to HQ as soon as possible. You may choose to keep a record of those submitted.

Return any unused promotional items to your regional office and make a note to return to this workplace to follow up any issues. Refer any problems that you can't resolve onto the relevant PCS office.

If you follow this advice, it's not hard work and you will be making sure that PCS has a healthy future. Tell us about it -  we can publicise your success around the union. Remember it's not just about recruiting members, it's more important to leave that workplace with a number of enthused activists and good workplace organisation. Good luck, and remember, don't be afraid to ask for help.