Record amount of PAM members recommended union membership to their friends in the spring
Photo: GettyImages.
An exceptional spring prompted PAM members to recommend union membership to their friends. During January-March, shop stewards and members recommended PAM to co-workers and friends more than ever.
Referrals of PAM membership increased primarily due to the corona epidemic. The collective agreement negotiations and the January strike threats in the commercial sector and facilities services sector had also an impact. In these situations, it has become clear to many what the union is doing, and why everyone should join a union. Thus, membership has also been easy to recommend and justify to co-workers as well as to friends and relatives.
Emre Ag is a PAM member working in facility services at RTK-palvelut. He is one of many, who has frequently recommended union membership to fellow workers in his workplace. Several employees has joined PAM with his accomplishment. What are his tips for recommending union membership?
Tip 1: Use your own story when discussing with people
In my workplace everyone is aware that there are unions, but many do not necessary know how useful a union can be on an individual level. I also talk about my own experiences and let people know what happened to me and that I got help from the union. Whenever somebody has an employment related question or a problem, I always remind them of the union. I also point out, that it is carefree to become a member of a union in Finland.
Tip 2. Talk about the benefits and advantages a membership provides
Very often, I get questions concerning the membership fee and what the advantages it brings. The membership fee, which is 1.5 percent of your gross salary, is after all quite low when you look at the benefits. I explain about unemployment security, which will ensure the person’s welfare if he/she is dismissed or laid off. Furthermore, a membership guarantees easy access to help and advice. You can just pick up the phone and call PAM. Help is only one phone call away! When your payslip includes the union fee, also your employer knows that you belong to the union. That in itself is a protection. Especially in these corona times, a union membership has proven to be irreplaceable.
Tip 3: Give people options on how to join
I always put down different options on how you can join, though many prefer to join online. Whatever is easier for the person, the options are there; call, join online, fill out the membership form or visit a regional office. Sometimes a brochure can come handy too. Though we speak English at work, there are several different nationalities and if there is information in different languages available, that is a plus.
Why recommend membership?
"The most important reason why recommending membership is vital, is that the bigger we are as a union, the stronger our voice will be heard. Therefore, if you want to be a member of a strong union, it is essential to refer members”, Emre Ag adds.
Use PAM’s site for recommending
By recommending membership, you will be awarded for your efforts with S Group gift cards. The more members you refer, the more valuable gift cards you will gain. For example, if you refer 10 new members in 3 months, you will receive a 250 euro gift card.
Recommending is easy. You can use PAM’s site for recommending membership and send messages to friends or work mates in English. Read more here: www.pam.fi/kerrokaverille
Emre recommends PAM membership
Text:: Marie Sandberg-Chibani