How to Put Together a Union Newsletter
Newsletters are a great resource available to all unions. A union newsletter commonly refers to a regularly distributed publication that provides updates, news, and information on a particular topic of industry.
Newsletters can be distributed either in print or digital format, and are typically sent out on a regular basis (e.g. weekly, monthly, quarterly).
In this article we will cover how to put together a union newsletter by analyzing the following:
1. What to Include in a Union Newsletter
2. How to Make a Union Newsletter
3. Setting Up Regular Orders With JH French
To learn about all of your union printing options, contact JH French today.
Union newsletters a great way to stay in touch with your union members.
Printing a Union Newsletter
1. What to Include in a Union Newsletter
The main purpose of a union newsletter is to keep union members informed about the activities of the union, including news and updates on negotiations, grievances, collective agreements, and other labour-related issues.
Here are some of the things that are typically included in a union newsletter:
Union News
This section provides updates on union activities, such as:
Meetings
Negotiations
Rallies
Achievements of union members
Profiles of union leaders
Including a section on union news in your union newsletter provides a great opportunity for raising awareness on pressing issues. It also allows your union to promote team camaraderie by recognizing individual and group achievements.
Labour News
This segment of your union newsletter can be used to provide news and analysis on labour issues that affect union members and their families. It may cover topics such as:
Workplace safety
Employment law
Government policies impacting labour unions.
For example, with the cost of inflation on the rise, your union newsletter can be used to explain how this may impact union members and what measures are being implemented to combat this issue.
Member News
This section is great for presenting news and updates on the activities of union members, including:
Retirements
Promotions
Other milestones.
Perhaps one of your senior millwrights just retired after a 30-year career and you want all union members to be made aware of his/her longevity and career accomplishments. Including this in your union newsletter is a great way to congratulate retirees and let everyone know that there is a position ready to be filled.
Unions advocate on your behalf to ensure you are taken care of.
Benefits and Services
Your union newsletter can also provide information on the benefits and services available to union members, such as:
Pensions
vision and dental care
Disability insurance
Sick pay
Statistics from the Government of Canada, for example, demonstrate that “unionized workers make an average of 30 [percent] more than non-unionized workers in the same industries.”
Including a section on benefits and services is a great way to uplift your workers and keep them motivated.
2. How to Make a Union Newsletter
There are several things to consider when making a union newsletter and many steps you should take. Consider the following:
A) Define the Purpose and Audience
The first step in creating a union newsletter is to define the purpose of the newsletter and the audience/demographic it will serve.
Based on the information provided above, decide what it is you want to be portrayed in your union newsletter. It is also wise to consider what types of information your members are interested in.
B) Develop a Content Plan
The next step is to develop a content plan that outlines the topics and articles that will be included in each issue.
Including a mix of union news, labour news, and member news will speak to many different audiences and keep your newsletter interesting.
Create a visually appealing union newsletter that is easy to read.
C) Design the Newsletter
Once you have your content plan and format in place, it is time to design the newsletter.
It is important that you choose a design that is visually appealing and easy to read, with clear headings and sections.
Producing a quality newsletter is not an easy task. Given this, we recommend working with a professional print shop that understands unions, like JH French.
D) Gather Content
Now that your general design is in place, it is time to gather content and write articles for your union newsletter.
It is critical that you include a well-balanced mix of short and long articles, and use quotes and photos to make the content more engaging for your union members.
Evaluate your union newsletter for quality prior to printing.
E) Prepare to Print
Preparing to print your union newsletter involves many steps such as:
Edit and proofread your union newsletter
Evaluate and improve your union newsletter
Use a professional print shop for your union newsletter
F) Choose the Right Print Shop
Once you have read through your union newsletter and made the necessary changes, it is critical that you choose the right print shop.
When researching potential print companies, we recommend looking for the following features:
Experience: Generally speaking, the longer a company has been in operation, it is far more likely that they know what they are doing. JH French, for example, has been in operation for over 100 years.
Flexibility: It is important that the print shop you choose to work with provides other services, not just the printing of union newsletters. You may want to print different products in the near future, such as calendars or booklets, therefore, choose a print shop that can accommodate you.
Union Specialists: Find a shop that supports and advocates for unions. It is important that you work with a print shop that values the same things as you. Several print shops, like JH French, are more than happy to work with unions and have a lot of experience in doing so.
3. Setting Up Regular Orders With JH French
Visit us at 293 Mary St, Hamilton Ontario.
Here at JH French, we have been serving Hamilton, Ontario, and businesses across Canada for over a century.
We offer high-quality printing techniques, as well as several other products and services.
If you are interested in printing union newsletters, on a regular basis, contact us and we will be more than happy to help you.
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