On June 4-6, 2019, IAM Local 1922 and District 78 Communicator Stephen Michalowicz attended the IAM Communications Conference in Las Vegas on behalf of District Lodge 78.
“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to learn and share best union communications practices with IAM’s trained and experienced staff, and with my fellow IAM members from across North America,” said Stephen in his report to Local 1922.
“The conference was framed around the theme of ‘Voice Activation,’ how IAM Communicators can amplify the stories and experiences of our members to not only better engage with those members, but to drive union organizing efforts and other communications initiatives.”
“These narratives are the foundation of our communications,” reported Stephen.
For the benefit of the members of Local Lodge 1922 and District 78, and to promote engagement during the conference, Stephen live tweeted the proceedings.
See the tweets below for a chronological summary of the conference highlights.
IAM Communications Conference – June 4, 2019
Getting ready for Day 1 of #IAMCommCon #IAMComms19 in #LasVegas En preparant pour la Conférence des Communications de l’AIM à #LasVegas pic.twitter.com/FJXFNDMVgA
— IAMAW Canada AIMTA (@iamawcanada) June 4, 2019
Getting ready to kick off the #IAMComms19 in Las Vegas. ⚙️⚙️⚙️#VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/RURhsHTSjk
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
Comms is the LIFEBLOOD of IAM’s Locals & Districts, says IAM Local 845 Pres Patrick Hamilton at #IAMComms19 . Without comms there is no ACTION. 💯 #IAMCommCon pic.twitter.com/fchAvrgK5S
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
“We’re the only union with a live, online weekly show 🎙, says IAM Comms Director @BobWoodIAMAW at #IAMComms19 of #ActivateLive. We’re not scared of making mistakes. ⚙️💪https://t.co/7jxOJ3FOeX#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/wcDrezL5Hi
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
Geoconda Argüello-Kline, #ST of @Culinary226 We also fought for, and won, language to protect our members from #SexualHarrassment #PowerOfWorkers #IAMCommCon #IAMComms19 pic.twitter.com/oRZFG48NpL
— IAMAW Canada AIMTA (@iamawcanada) June 4, 2019
@IAMConigliaroSr praises #Communicators for the job they do every day. #Lobster207 was successful because of them The #LobsterCampaign was won because of their crucial work #IAMCommCon #IAMComms19 pic.twitter.com/T4a73puzLg
— IAMAW Canada AIMTA (@iamawcanada) June 4, 2019
Only UNIONS can help workers in the new gig economy, says @IAMConigliaroSr, IAM GVP Eastern Terriory, at #IAMComms19. WE have to represent & help these workers whether they’re classified as employees or not. 💯#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation #PowerOfWorkers pic.twitter.com/Y8vlfsfmFm
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
Organizing & putting members’ stories front & centre is critical to building engaging union comms.
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
Meet the Press panel with Emmelle Israel (@AFLCIO), reporter @danagentrylv, & @BethanyKhan at @Culinary226 at #IAMComms19.#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/2NWwT4xD1k
#MeToo was big for @Culinary226 as we pushed for greater safety for workers, & to get language included in CAs to end threat of sexual harassment in the workplace, says @BethanyKhan at #IAMComms19. #IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation #DoneWaiting pic.twitter.com/7NYUtDtz8E
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
Working peoples’ stories need to told. As Unions, we cannot neglect media.
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
The more we do to amplify workers’ stories, the more we help shape the world we want to live in. 💯
Meet the Press panel with @BethanyKhan, @danagentrylv, & Emmelle Israel (@AFLCIO) at #IAMComms19. pic.twitter.com/y7OmJD3eUJ
ORGANIZING is the #PowerOfUnions💥@IAMAWMLU shows organizing strength with @Lobster207sales – direct, fresh, union lobsters 🦞 out of Maine.#IAMComms19 #IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/rJuf9xtWgT
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
“Being in a UNION is like being in a family. You want to do everything you can to help your family…I want a future where my grandkids get good union jobs.”
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
Workers talk defeating Right-to-Work in Missouri at #IAMComms19. ⚙️💪#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/5Ru20P1dlr
WE stuck to a msg in Missouri in fighting right-to-work: CEOs are stealing YOUR money, says @MOAFLCIO Pres Mike Louis at #IAMComms19.
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
Ended up collecting 300k signatures. 3x more than what was needed to start the repeal of RTW in Missouri.#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/MavU3bFNEl
Lessons from Mike Louis, @MOAFLCIO Pres, at #IAMComms19 on fighting right-to-work in Missouri:
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
✅Build coalitions
✅Digital comms echo chamber
✅Reach across aisle
✅Talk politics with members
✅Build constant comms stream#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/5HaSYre1VO
We have to be there, and we have to be savvy when we’re there, says @Hannah_Roditi Exec Director at @SocialMoveTech at #IAMComms19.
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
Online organizing means:
✅Finding & engaging
✅Harnessing community support
✅Pressuring targets
✅Shaping news narrative#IAMCommCon pic.twitter.com/H2JwcS9tab
The keys 🔑 to live video 🎥 from @LuriaPetrucci at #IAMComms19:
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 4, 2019
✅Tap into emotion
✅Educate
✅Tell stories
✅Behind the scenes
✅Create #FOMO#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/BhD7XRMryh
Great looking bunch. 👍 https://t.co/cwMnk6noCw
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
IAM Communications Conference – June 5, 2019
IAM is highlighting the VOICES🗣 of our members by putting them front & centre, says IAM Intl Pres @IAMBobMartinez at #IAMComms19. This gives us the 💥POWER💥 to mobilize. ⚙️💪#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/xN0AALmwDN
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
WE all share a dream of living in a country where workers come 1st, ahead of CEOs & corporations, says IAM Intl Pres @IAMBobMartinez at #IAMComms19. 👏👏👏#FightingMachnists will get the job done. We are stronger than any corporation.💯#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/9PlRqqJfAF
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
WE will prevail. WE are family. WE are strong. WE are united. ⚙️💪
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
IAM Intl Pres @IAMBobMartinez at #IAMComms19.#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/maqsdOYNPn
The 🇨🇦Canadian Territory🇨🇦 was #1 in organizing in the IAM in 2018. ⚙️💪
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
IAM Intl Pres @IAMBobMartinez at #IAMComms19.#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/04p9RVMeVz
.@stayrocksolid “The 1919 Winnipeg General Strike was about fairness and we continue to fight for fairness today!” #IAMCommCon #IAMComms19 pic.twitter.com/5neVk6hu5L
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 5, 2019
Union comms is about storytelling 📖.
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
Showing our members why WE, the UNION, are the HEROES 🦸 of our stories, says IAM Canadian GVP Stan Pickthall (@stayrocksolid) at #IAMComms19. ⚙️💪#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/CBr1TVzQE2
Getting into the gear to go live with video🎥 with @LuriaPetrucci & @ImpartialGeek (Live Streaming Pros) at #IAMComms19.
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
Why go live? Create connections, tap into emotions, share those unique union stories📖 that build member engagement. #IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/S8APy9Z9JW
The delegates of the 2019 IAM Communications Conference. #iamcommcon pic.twitter.com/bNO695Ne4T
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) June 5, 2019
Behind the scenes seeing how @MachinistsUnion makes #ActivateLive a reality. 🎥⚙️#IAMComms19 #IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/9ZnJAHmciW
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
Getting great tips form Patrick McCaw, IT @MachinistsUnion, about staying safe & secure 🔒 in our comms work at #IAMComms19. #IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/SJg4biMR4N
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
Download the presentation from the #IAMComms19 Tech & Security session here: https://t.co/4YSzYn1Oin#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/T2m251FDzd
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
When it comes to social media, as unions, we have to move beyond the superficial union boosting, says @Hannah_Roditi from @SocialMoveTech at #IAMComms19.
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
Narrative posts are key 🔑. Engaging to open members to new perspectives.#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/xScCWausLb
“Once people start acting like a union, you start building a union,” says @Hannah_Roditi from @SocialMoveTech in discussing social media & digital engagement at #IAMComms19.#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/pzshpq9Y5m
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 5, 2019
IAM Communications Conference – June 6, 2019
Talking to people. Listening to people. Helping people.
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 6, 2019
That’s the core of the #IAMJournal. ⚙️💪
Discussing the #IAMJournal with @jrbattaglia, Rich Luciani, Andrew Hounshell, & Michelle Furman at #IAMComms19. #VoiceActivation #IAMCommCon pic.twitter.com/Bq4Wwaj4LL
“There are a lot of healthcare workers out there that need OUR help,” says Canadian GLR Ralph Martin on IAM’s big push into organizing in healthcare. ⚙️💪#IAMComms19 #IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/IHEllLs9mO
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 6, 2019
What I’m looking at here at #IAMComms19 is the BEST communications team in the labour movement ⚙️💪, says Monica Silbas, IAM Assistant Legislative Director.
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 6, 2019
WE are 💥POWERFUL💥. There is nothing we can’t do. 💯#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/N1esDSGDLu
IAM Communicators, spread the word, Trump’s #NAFTA does NOT have strong enough labour & environment chapters, says Monica Silbas, IAM Assistant Legislative Director at #IAMComms19. #IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/LJq2Kb91Kk
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 6, 2019
Tell the truth, & know, identify, & keep record of your sources, says IAM General Counsel Mark Schneider at #IAMComms19 in his advice to IAM Communicators.#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/WKmIzaw9e8
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 6, 2019
This union, with the POWER of its comms department & amazing local & district Communicators, will continue to be at the forefront labour movement, says @BobWoodIAMAW in his concluding remarks at #IAMComms19. 👏👏👏#IAMCommCon #VoiceActivation pic.twitter.com/QwfYIRYL5C
— Steve Michalowicz (@smichalowicz) June 6, 2019
