When you want to connect with your Contractors in a meaningful way, communication is key. And, often, it’s up to Ironworkers to initiate.
While it’s not always easy, the dividends for your members and Local can be great, says Doug Strayer, business manager of Local 395, Hammond, Ind., who recently took steps to rebuild an ailing relationship with local construction industry players.
“When I first took over as business manager, we had a pretty rocky relationship with our Contractors,” Doug says. Contractors struggled with trust issues and were “wary of the Local.” But with a telephone and a meeting room ready for action, Doug turned a problematic relationship into a cooperative one.
Doug rebuilt his Local’s relationship with Contractors and Employers, and he’s putting members back to work—and raising the union’s regard—in the process. Here’s how he did it.
Tip 1 – Initiate communications with your Contractors—but be persistent.
Doug sent out more than 50 invitations to Contractors, asking them to join him for a brief informational meeting at his Local. While many Contractors expressed surprise at having received an invite, Doug’s outstretched hand was the first, crucial gesture in building a healthier, productive relationship with Local 395’s Contractors. “We had a small agenda, but I wanted to explain to them what IMPACT was about, how it works, about this relationship that I wanted to form.” Plus, the meeting afforded him an opportunity to tell Contractors that programs like IMPACT aren’t just for Ironworkers—they’re designed to create value for everyone involved in the Ironworking industry.
Tip 2 – Speak to your Contractors daily to maintain a healthy, productive working relationship.
Doug makes a point to engage his Contractors as much as possible. “We’re always coming up with new ideas, new IMPACT grants we can write…new ways we can move our industry forward,” Doug says.
Contractors do their own part to reach out, too. “We’ve got our Contractors that now call us or email us when they’re bidding a project,” Doug says. It’s even helped the Local get work they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Tip 3 – Don’t disengage once you successfully engage.
“We keep inviting more and more Contractors,” Doug says. “And they keep telling Contractor Associations, so more of them will be showing up.”
But Doug doesn’t stop there. He says his goal is to schedule a “tripartite” gathering, including Contractors, Ironworkers and public officials to talk about the value of new relationships between labor and management.
Tip 4 – Involve members in the relationship.
When labor and management form strong bonds, the benefits trickle down to individual members. “When [members] have a problem on the job, I can pick up a phone and call somebody, just call that Contractor, and get an immediate response,” Doug says. “It’s much easier…just to work all situations.” Doug has leveraged his new relationship with Contractors to address jobsite safety, paycheck issues and more.
Take The First Step!
Virtually every aspect of Doug’s job has become easier: Discussing safety issues, bidding work, using market recovery, talking about legislative issues. Doug need only pick up the phone to activate his network of Contractors and Employer associations.
Build trust with Contractors, and they’ll trust you back—and listen when you have issues to address. “Call a meeting once a month…sit down with the Contractors and ask them what they need. Then tell them what you need in return,” Doug says.
