Solisarity Sunday: You are an Influencer.
"Social Media Influencer" is an actual job title. It's a thing. It has become a career aspiration. Google Trends shows the interest in the term "influencer" has soared since 2016. Young people are growing up in a world of social media, many of them aspiring to be an "influencer" as a career… gain followers, get famous, endorse products and services, get rich.
But "influence" is not just applicable to social media.
If you work for a local union, rest assured, you are an influencer. Whether you're on administrative staff, in the financial office, a business agent, an organizer, business manager, vice-president, executive board, you are an ambassador of influence for your local union. You are the frontline of your local union's message.
Every interaction you have with members, non-members, apprentices, union contractors, non-union contractors, politicians, etc. you leave an impression, positively or negatively; In-person, on the phone, over email, on social media.
Every time we show up on the job early; every time we have all our PPE in order; when we get our job done right the first time; when we give 8-for-8 in a professional craftsman-like manner; when we hold each other accountable for our craftsmanship... We are influencers.
With your actions…and with your inactions.
When you answer the phone in the first few rings; when you respond to an email in a timely fashion; when you reply promptly to a text message; when you meet face-to-face... You are an influencer.
Every time you interact with someone, they are forming an opinion on you and your local union. Everything you do matters.
Conversely, when someone reaches out to you from an ad or a post, and no one returns their message; when you answer the phone with a gruff tone; when a voicemail goes unreturned; when an email that goes un-replied; when a message through your social media portals or a text message gets "left on read"; Our inaction says as much about us as our actions.
It is of particular interest to us as organized labor. Fairly or unfairly, unions are more heavily scrutinized than other organizations, particularly in red states. We are the voice of the working people, both union and non-union workers. If we're going to grow, we are going to have to set the standard. And that starts with using our influence.
The question is not whether or not we are an influencer, the question is whether or not we are using our influence for good.
Speaking of Influencers
On the occasion that you can find a popular figure to help spread the news about programs in your local, it is very effective. Killer Mike is a rapper, entertainer and entrepreneur that is sympathetic to our cause and sees the trade unions as a means to help young people build a better life. He was kind enough to help Georgia Construction Careers spread the word about opportunities in the skilled trades through YouthBuild.
