Building a Winning Campaign Team for Local Union Elections

Local union elections require more than just individual effort; they demand a well-organized campaign team to mobilize support effectively. A new guide from Labor Notes, *Running for Local Union Office: A Labor Notes Guide*, emphasizes the importance of building a diverse and engaged team to secure victory.

Campaigns cannot succeed without collective effort, just as strong unions rely on rank-and-file involvement. Vance Smith, an organizer with Teamsters Local 135, highlights the necessity of seeking assistance: "That four-letter word [help] can do wonders for your campaign. If you can’t ask for help, you’re not going to win."

Rami Bridge, former president of the Somerville Education Association in Massachusetts, echoes this sentiment. "If you’re trying to build a democratic, transparent, member-driven union, you cannot do that by yourself," he states. "If you don’t have a group, find that group first. Find people that want to see a change and are willing to do something about it."

A campaign team should extend beyond the slate of candidates. The core team, composed of dedicated supporters, will handle critical tasks such as texting, phone banking, and organizing meetings. Additionally, recruit active supporters in key locations to distribute campaign materials and engage with coworkers.

Dwayne Johnson of Teamsters Local 322 in Richmond, Virginia, describes how his campaign mobilized members: "When people decided to support us, we gave them tasks: talk to your co-workers and tell them what’s going on." This approach not only spreads the campaign’s message but also fosters a sense of collective action among members.

Gaining public support is crucial, as not all supporters will follow through on Election Day. Encouraging members to display campaign buttons or wear shirts publicly increases the likelihood of their voting for the slate. Alano De La Rosa, now president of Teamsters Local 90 in Des Moines, Iowa, recalls his campaign’s outreach: "When people see you three, four times at their shop, they really get to know you and respect you." Personal contact, including gathering phone numbers and commitments, is vital for securing votes.

Incumbents often benefit from existing networks of stewards and supporters, making it essential for reform campaigns to build their own networks. Paul Santos, president of Rhode Island Teamsters Local 251, emphasizes the importance of direct voter contact. "We knew that to win our first election, it was going to take 1,200 votes. That meant we had to have at least 1,200 face-to-face conversations," he explains. "Do the math. There’s two ways you can do that. You can have six people have 200 conversations each, or 40 volunteers can have 30 conversations."

Expanding involvement beyond the slate not only increases the campaign’s reach but also strengthens the union’s future leadership. Active participants in the campaign are more likely to remain engaged in the union’s activities after the election.

The *Labor Notes Guide* is available for $20 at the Labor Notes Store. Since 1979, Labor Notes has provided a platform for union activists advocating for a revitalized labor movement. For more information, visit Labor Notes’ website or contact them at their Brooklyn office.