How Unions Are Using Technology to Organize and Amplify Their Voice
In today’s quickly changing world, the power of union organizing and engagement is even more crucial. As workers face new challenges in 2025 due to shifting dynamics in the labor sector unions must find innovative ways to amplify their voices, mobilize members, and drive meaningful change.
The good news? Digital tools are here to help. From social media to dedicated apps, technology has opened new pathways for unions to connect, engage, and organize like never before. These tools not only expand the reach of union efforts but also make it easier to rally support, stay informed, and unite workers—no matter where they are. In this blog, we’ll explore how unions are using these digital innovations to strengthen their collective power and build a brighter future for workers everywhere.
Building Connections in the Digital Era
Technology has fundamentally altered the landscape of union organizing by opening new channels of communication. Where unions once relied on in-person meetings and the occasional mailer or phone tree, digital tools now bridge the gap between unions and their messaging for their members.
Social Media as a Movement Amplifier
Social platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok have become powerful tools for union organizing, serving as virtual megaphones to amplify their efforts. Hashtags, viral content, and real-time updates help unions reach broader audiences and inspire solidarity beyond their immediate circles. However, social media has limitations. Algorithms mean only about 20% of followers see a post, and platforms lack privacy, raising concerns about sensitive organizing efforts.
To succeed, unions must balance social media engagement with secure, direct communication channels to ensure their messages reach the right people.
Private Messaging Apps are Being Used as Dedicated Communication Tools
While apps like Signal and WhatsApp are becoming mainstays in informal union organizing, thanks to their ease of use, they are not ready made for unions. Union needs like location sharing, benefits services, or dues updates, show how lacking in features these apps are outside of the informality of quick discussion and drive home the need for a more complete solution.
Innovating with Union-Focused Technology
While mainstream platforms help unions connect and mobilize, there’s also been a rise in tech solutions specifically tailored for union needs.
Dedicated Union Apps for Member Engagement
Apps are great ways to engage with members by funneling all information and communication in one place -although custom apps can come with a high price tag. Apps like Union Strong by Patter is a branded app created just for unions. Unlike expensive one-off custom apps, Union Strong App offers an off-the-shelf, secure, cost-effective solution specifically designed to meet the unique needs of unions. The app ensures that union members—whether tech-savvy or not —can easily access vital information such as benefits information, healthcare, and meeting information no matter where they are.
Union apps are gaining traction because of their accessibility, especially with over 90% of people owning smartphones. The ability to instantly reach members through push notifications makes it easier than ever to communicate important updates and actions. For union members working in the field, the convenience of having everything on their cell phones is key—especially since studies show the average person checks their phone over 96x per day. Union Strong App ensures your members stay informed, engaged, and connected, no matter where they are.
The Benefits of Technology for Engagement
When used effectively, technology offers several benefits that are reshaping union dynamics, such as:
Boosted Participation
Union activities like meetings, surveys, and campaigns can now take place online, enhancing accessibility for members who might struggle with in-person attendance. Virtual town halls and digital Q&A sessions give workers anywhere a seat at the table.
Real-Time Coordination
Instead of waiting weeks or months for updates via newsletters, members receive information instantly through apps, emails, or social media. This capacity has been critical during strikes or time-sensitive campaigns, where rapid updates are essential.
Data-Driven Decisions
Unions can use data to drive smarter decisions for campaigns and organizing. By analyzing participation trends, they can fine-tune their outreach to better connect with members and meet their needs.
The Road Ahead: Unions Embracing Technology for Greater Impact
As unions look to the future, technology will remain essential in driving successful organizing and outreach efforts. Here are four key trends shaping the path forward:
Blended Organizing Strategies
The most effective organizing combines the best of both worlds—traditional in-person methods and cutting-edge digital tools. Experts agree that hybrid approaches will deliver the strongest results.
Data-Driven Campaigns
By leveraging real-time data such as event attendance, app usage trends, and poll results, unions can make smarter, faster decisions. Sharing this information within teams through easy-to-use platforms empowers unions to adapt negotiation strategies and respond effectively to critical moments like contract disputes.
Sharing Winning Strategies
Collaboration is key. A successful organizing approach used by a Florida local, for example, can quickly be shared across unions—from district to district and nationwide. This exchange of proven strategies helps union leaders tailor and implement effective tactics for their regions, fostering collective wins across the movement. With technology as a driving force, unions are poised to amplify their impact and achieve greater success in the years ahead.
A Future of Stronger Voices
For union members, labor organizers, and activists looking to drive meaningful change, technology is no longer just an option—it’s a game-changer. It’s making organizing more scalable, efficient, and inclusive, providing a louder platform for workers to tell their stories and demand fair treatment.
The question is no longer whether unions should adopt technology—but how they can do so responsibly while ensuring no member is left behind. As memberships lean towards a youth movement, and smartphone use rises, building a robust tech forward community allows for unions to not only prepare for the future, but help bridge the gap from the traditional means of organizing towards a safe, secure, and agile organizing effort that will define tomorrow’s movement.
Published by Union Strong App
Union Strong App is a union-branded mobile app designed specifically to support and strengthen union’s narratives.