Management loves to play divide and conquer. The more we fight among ourselves, the more the boss can get away with. But the more we’re united, the more we can enforce our contracts or win changes that benefit all of us.

Building unity is easier said than done. Here are five ways you can overcome divisions in your workplace.

1. Map Your Workplace

Every workplace is already organized in some way. Work with co-workers to map your workplace for social groups, cliques, work groups, and leaders. Who hangs out with whom? Where do divides already exist? Who do people listen to and respect?

After a period of inactivity, Local 89 members at American Printing House for the Blind in Kentucky mounted a contract campaign in 2023. Mapping was the key first step.

“The company had a lot of newer and younger workers who weren’t connected to the union yet. We really had to sit down and make a plan for engaging them if we were going to win,” says Matt Cunningham, a Local 89 member and steward at American Printing House for the Blind. United and more engaged, members won a contract with major improvements.

2. Share Information Through a Communications Network

The boss relies on misinformation and confusion to pit people against each other. Creating a member-to-member communication network can help share useful information and counter management’s divisive strategies.

There are a variety of good apps you can use to share information and keep members on the same page.

New York Local 804 member Henry "CJ" Toaza uses a Discord chat. “Having knowledge is important, but it doesn’t serve its purpose if you can’t share it with others when it matters most."

“The chat has become a powerful tool to help drivers stay informed, ask questions, and discuss contract language,” Toaza said.

3. Use Social Events to Bring People Together

Trust and respect are built face-to-face, through personal conversations and relationships. This doesn’t have to be limited to the union hall.

Getting together socially is a great way to bring people together in a relaxed atmosphere and get to know them. In Local 676 in New Jersey, a group of TDU members has been regularly holding holiday parties, bowling nights, and even a cornhole tournament.

“These events have created a deeper bond among the members and have been a good first step for getting them more involved,” says Angie DeNero, a UPS package car driver and Local 676 member.

4. Identify Issues That Are Widely and Deeply Felt

Most workplaces have multiple issues or problems going on at once. How do you know where to start?

Three good questions to ask yourself are:
- Is the problem widely felt? Does it affect a lot of people?
- Is the issue deeply felt? Do members feel strongly about it?
- Is the issue winnable? We can’t win every time. But choosing winnable issues is a good way to build momentum.

Involving members around a losing issue can increase apathy and discouragement. Look for clear contract violations and winnable grievances, especially when you’re starting out.

Sometimes the right issue may seem small at first. At Windigo Logistics, management caused safety problems by changing the way members of Local 455 used pallets that caused safety problems.

“People in the warehouse kept complaining about this and it clearly had struck a nerve,” according to Jose Alonso, a Local 455 member who works in the warehouse.

When 20 members of the night crew confronted management, they backed down and agreed to switch back to the original, safer method.

5. Take Action in a Way That Involves Members

Taking action together builds unity. Tactics like parking lot meetings, group grievances, sticker days, and petitions are all ways to show that many members are concerned about an issue and want it addressed.

Local 439 members at Martin Brower use group grievances to involve members and get issues resolved. After members signed onto a group grievance about filthy and unsanitary trucks, management quickly moved to get them cleaned.

“These group grievances get members to talk to each other, see that we have common issues, and show management that members are united about a problem,” says Gary Siegfried, a Local 439 shop steward.