1. pets
2. cats

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T
he main strength of your local union is your membership. Some locals have
a more active membership than others but one thing is clear: in order to get
the best contract, your employer has to believe that all of your members are
sticking together. That’s why a Communication & Action Team must be the foundation of any contract campaign.
What is a Communication & Action Team?
A Communication & Action Team is the best way to organize your union and get
the best contract possible. The key to the CAT is direct one-to-one contact. Your
CAT should be composed of respected union activists working under the direction
of the elected local leadership. Members of the Communication & Action Team are
responsible for maintaining contact with a specific group of about 10 co-workers in
their respective departments and shifts.
Why do you need a Communication & Action Team?
Membership involvement is the most important part of a successful contract campaign, and the first step in getting the membership involved is setting up a Communication & Action Team.
Every union officer and activist knows the frustration of posting a notice for an
event or activity only to have few participate. This happens in every local, and in
fact, in every organization. Simply posting a notice is not enough because it only
attracts activists and those already committed to the particular issue.
Building visible support of the membership is difficult, but possible. One-on-one
contact insures your ability to directly educate every member on the issues, counter
the inevitable rumors, and organize support.
Personal contact is the most effective means to get members involved. It is one
thing to see a meeting notice on a board and another when a friend comes to you
saying - "I am going to the meeting, and we need you at the meeting as well."
5
Step 1—Step 2—Step 3—Step 4– Step 5—Step 6—Step 7—Step 8—Step 9—Step 10
What is the structure of a Communication & Action
Team?
To build and effective Communication & Action Team in
your local union, you will need to fill the following positions:
The Local Union Officers and Bargaining Committee
develop the campaign plan (along with the CAT Coordinator). They provide direction as well as delegate responsibility to the other members of the Communication & Action
Team. The Negotiating Committee is too busy negotiating
to fill the following roles—always be careful of burnout.
Communication & Action Team Coordinator(s) makes
sure that the CAT structure is in place and functioning
throughout the local. The CAT coordinator is the key to
successfully educating and involving your membership in
the contract campaign. He or she is not on the bargaining
committee but reports directly to the local union president
and the bargaining committee.
Communication & Action Team Shift Leader is responsible for recruiting Communication & Action Team Organizers on a particular shift and coordinating their activity. In
large locals, you may need multiple shift leaders.
Communication & Action Team Organizers are the local’s direct link to the rank and file. They are responsible
for communicating one-on-one with a group of about 10
workers in their work area on their shift.
It’s their job to distribute handbills and other material like
buttons and T-shirts. They educate the membership about
issues in negotiations and mobilize members to participate
in solidarity actions. It is important to CAT Organizers represent the entire membership—young/old, female/male,
and so on. If members of the bargaining unit speak more
than one language, make sure your CAT Organizers can
communicate with everyone.
6
Communication Flow
for Communication &
Action Team
Local Union Officers &
Bargaining Committee
Communication &
Action Team
Coordinator(s)
Communication &
Action Team
Shift Leader(s)
Communication &
Action Team
Organizers
Workers
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How many members do you need to have on your CAT?
The number of members needed to build your Communication & Action Team
depends upon how big your facility is and how many members you have. Let’s
work from the bottom to the top of the flow chart on the previous page.
• One Communication & Action Team Organizer for every 10 workers in an
area. However, a department with only 6 members must also have at least
one CAT Organizer.
• One Shift Leader for every 10 CAT Organizers on a shift.
• One Local Union Coordinator for every five Shift Leaders.
You may be quickly calculating how many members you need to build a CAT and
feel discouraged. Remember, these numbers are ideal, but in the real world you
will have to make adjustments.
What is the role of the Communication & Action Team?
The CAT is more than a group that explains issues and informs the membership
about activities. It is also the link between the local union leadership, the negotiating committee and the membership. It creates two-way communication from the
membership to the local union leadership and the bargaining committee.
This two-way communication allows the membership to fully participate in determining key issues, developing ideas, and suggesting activities for the campaign.
Being involved in the process will also lead to more participation by the membership.
The CAT structure becomes the "eyes, ears and voice" of the local. The two-way
communication can identify problems and concerns within the membership, identify weak members that need reassuring, and identify rumors, employer activity,
and when your employer violates the law.
Beyond the contract campaign, building a Communication & Action Team and involving the membership will create a stronger and more active local to deal with
future problems and contracts. The following activities will help you build a Communication & Action Team for your workplace.
7
45
Total
6
1
36
4
25
7
Workers
5
1
3
1
CAT
Organizers
2nd Shift
8
Total CAT Organizers 17
6
Maintenance
120
25
Front End
Total Workers
2
14
Back End
3
CAT
Organizers
Workers
Department
1st Shift
25
3
15
7
4
1
2
1
CAT
Organizers
14
0
10
4
Workers
4
2
0
1
1
CAT
Organizers
4th Shift
Total CAT Shift Leaders
Workers
3rd Shift
Here is an example of how to determine how many CAT Organizers you’ll need in your workplace.
1. Using the blank chart on the following page, list every department in your workplace in the first column. If you have
more departments than spaces allotted, print out another sheet from the Resource CD. Hint: Refer to the example at
the bottom of this page.
2. For each shift list the total number of Bargaining Unit Members in each department (In right-to-work states include nonmembers).
3. For each shift write the total number of CAT Organizers you will need for that department. Every department should
have a CAT Organizer, and remember, no CAT Organizer should be asked to be responsible for more than 10 people.
4. For every 10 CAT Organizers on a shift, you will need one Shift Coordinator. Write the total number of CAT Shift Leaders on the bottom.
Instructions:
Determining How Many CAT Organizers You Need - Page 1 (Activity 1 – Step 1)
Step 1—Step 2—Step 3—Step 4– Step 5—Step 6—Step 7—Step 8—Step 9—Step 10
Workers
CAT
Organizers
Workers
CAT
Organizers
2nd Shift
Workers
CAT
Organizers
3rd Shift
Workers
CAT
Organizers
4th Shift
9
Total Number of Workers ____________ Total number of CAT Organizers__________ Total number of CAT Shift Leaders__________
Total
Department
1st Shift
Determining How Many CAT Organizers You Need - Page 2 (Activity 1 – Step 1)
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Step 1—Step 2—Step 3—Step 4– Step 5—Step 6—Step 7—Step 8—Step 9—Step 10
Building your Communication & Action Team
Page 1 (Activity 2 – Step 1)
Instructions:
1. On the next page map your Communication & Action Team on the chart provided. Hint: Use
the example on the bottom of this page.
2. In the first box, fill in the people on the negotiating committee.
3. In the second box fill in who will be your Communication & Action Team Coordinator – remember, this person should NOT be on the negotiating committee! You may need more than
one CAT Coordinator.
4. List All your departments in the space provided – if a department will need more than 1 CAT
Organizer, use more than 1 box. If you run out of room, print an additional chart from the resource CD.
5. In each Shift Leader Box list the CAT Shift Leader. If you have more than one on a shift,
write all the names in the box.
6. In the CAT Organizer box write the name of the person who will be the organizer for that shift
in that department.
Here is an example of what a map of the Back End and Front End from the previous example
would look like.
President & Negotiating Committee: Rachel Anderson, Willie Ferguson
CAT Coordinator: Frank Welch
Front End
Department:
1st Shift
CAT Leader
Robin B.
2nd Shift
CAT Leader
1st Shift CAT Organizer
1st Shift CAT Organizer
1st Shift CAT Organizer
Bill Plott
Joe Rose
Emily Collier
2nd Shift CAT Organizer
2nd Shift CAT Organizer
Nina Robinson
David Yuan
Tom F.
3rd Shift
CAT Leader
2nd Shift CAT Organizer
Chuck Jones
3rd Shift CAT Organizer
3rd Shift CAT Organizer
3rd Shift CAT Organizer
Dan Siskind
Sangita Gupta
_____________
Ken S.
4th Shift
CAT Leader
Jose Trace
4th Shift CAT Organizer
4th Shift CAT Organizer
Mike Cooper
Don Shaffer
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4th Shift CAT Organizer
_____________
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Building your Communication & Action Team
President & Negotiating Committee
1. _____________________________________
4. ___________________________________
2. ____________________________________
5. ____________________________________
3. ____________________________________
6.____________________________________
Communication & Action Team Coordinator(s)
______________________________________________________________________
1st Shift CAT
Leader
2nd Shift CAT
Leader
3rd Shift CAT
Leader
4th Shift CAT
Leader
Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
1st Shift CAT
Organizer
1st Shift CAT
Organizer
1st Shift CAT
Organizer
1st Shift CAT
Organizer
1st Shift CAT
Organizer
___________
___________
___________
___________
__________
2nd Shift CAT
Organizer
2nd Shift CAT
Organizer
2nd Shift CAT
Organizer
2nd Shift CAT
Organizer
2nd Shift CAT
Organizer
___________
___________
__________
__________
__________
3rd Shift CAT
Organizer
3rd Shift CAT
Organizer
3rd Shift CAT
Organizer
3rd Shift CAT
Organizer
3rd Shift CAT
Organizer
___________
___________
__________
__________
___________
4th Shift CAT
Organizer
4th Shift CAT
Organizer
4th Shift CAT
Organizer
4th Shift CAT
Organizer
4th Shift CAT
Organizer
__________
___________
___________
__________
__________
11
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Mapping Each Department—Page 1 (Activity 3—Step 1)
Now that you have a map of your Communication & Action Team, you need to get down to the details and map each department. Before you begin, it is helpful to have a list of bargaining unit members when doing this activity so you remember everyone and spell names correctly.
Instructions:
1. In the first box write the name of the department. Hint: Refer to the example below.
2. Write the name of the CAT Organizer from that department for each shift in the space provided. You will want to refer back to your CAT map (Activity 2 – Step 1).
3. Write the names of ALL the bargaining unit members in the space provided. These are the
people the CAT Organizer will be responsible for keeping informed.
4. There are two types of charts: One chart is designed for departments with 10 or less people
in a department (these charts take up only one page). The other Chart is designed for departments with more than 10 people in a department (these charts take up two pages).
5. If a department has more than 20 people in it, you will need to use additional charts from the
Resource CD.
Department:
CAT Organizer
1st Shift
Nancy
Levinson
CAT Organizer
2nd Shift
Henry
Winthrop
CAT Organizer
3rd Shift
Chris
Hammil
CAT Organizer
4th Shift
Maintenance
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
2. Jeanette Wilkins
4. Naomi Alberts
1. Melvin Watts
3. Tyrone Washington
5. Derrick Bellanger
7.
9.
6.
8.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1. Colin Brown
3. Sharon Snow
5.
7.
9.
2. Aaron Willow (non-member)
4.
6.
8.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1. Mike Huber (non-member)
3.
5.
7.
9.
2. Dana Garver (non-member)
4.
6.
8.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
3.
5.
7.
9.
2.
4.
6.
8.
10.
12
Step 1—Step 2—Step 3—Step 4– Step 5—Step 6—Step 7—Step 8—Step 9—Step 10
Mapping Each Department—Page 2 (Activity 3—Step 1)
This chart is for a department with 10 workers or less on each shift.
Department:
CAT Organizer
1st Shift
CAT Organizer
2nd Shift
CAT Organizer
3rd Shift
CAT Organizer
4th Shift
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
13
Step 1—Step 2—Step 3—Step 4– Step 5—Step 6—Step 7—Step 8—Step 9—Step 10
Mapping Each Department—Page 3 (Activity 3—Step 1)
This chart, which is two pages, is for departments that have more
than 10 people on a shift. This is the first part of the chart.
Department:
CAT Organizer:
1st Shift
CAT Organizer:
1st Shift
CAT Organizer:
2nd Shift
CAT Organizer:
2nd Shift
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
14
Step 1—Step 2—Step 3—Step 4– Step 5—Step 6—Step 7—Step 8—Step 9—Step 10
Mapping Each Department—Page 4 (Activity 3—Step 1)
This chart, which is two pages, is for departments that have more
than 10 people on a shift. This is the second part of the chart.
Department:
CAT Organizer:
3rd Shift
CAT Organizer:
3rd Shift
CAT Organizer:
4th Shift
CAT Organizer:
4th Shift
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Members the CAT Organizer is responsible for:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
15
Step 1—Step 2—Step 3—Step 4– Step 5—Step 6—Step 7—Step 8—Step 9—Step 10
Building Your Communication & Action Team
T
he next step in developing your Communication & Action Team is to actually
approach and recruit the CAT members you’ve just identified. This takes time
and effort. Make sure you ask people to help, and reach beyond the usual
activists. Involve as many people as possible. Below are some tips for making oneon-one contacts. Make sure every CAT Organizer knows and understands them.
Making One-on-One Contacts
♦
Contact at the right time. Do not disrupt someone who is busy. Do not
break into another conversation. Give them a chance to tell you to come
back later.
♦
Be friendly and polite. Do not argue.
♦
Be honest. If you do not know the answer to a question, don't make one
up.
♦
Listen. This is a two way process. Members have important concerns,
information, and campaign ideas.
♦
Ask members to do something. Have a list of things needed to be
done - wear a button, attend rally and so on. If they are unable to do the
requested activity, find something they can or are willing to do.
Once you’ve created your Communication & Action Team, it will need to be tested
and improved. Building your Communication & Action Team is a process. Begin
with easy activities that can be measured such as a petition or a survey.
In other words, when you use your CAT to get members to sign a petition, you can
analyze the final petition to see which departments fully participated and which didn’t.
Compare results with the map you created for every department to determine weak
areas.
Focus on improving the areas with weak results or participation. Repeat this process
after every activity. Remember: in order to build a stronger CAT you must constantly
assess where you need to bolster support.
16