“In a situation in which people get the same wages and contract benefits whether or not they join the union, it’s often hard to get the message across that they’ll get a better contract if they join because the union will be stronger,” explains OPEIU Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Wohlforth. 

But using Union Plus benefits in an internal organizing campaign targeting taxi drivers has been successful through a joint effort by OPEIU and USW. 

“[OPEIU] President Michael Goodwin has felt for some time that members-only benefits can give internal organizing a boost if they are presented together in an impressive package,” Wohlforth continues, “and the taxi organizing in Las Vegas became our first test of this approach.”

Wohlforth needed no persuading, having been a fan of Union Plus benefits for many years, personally using the Union Plus Credit Card and the car rental and flower discounts extensively.

The USW supported the idea too and the two unions put together the slick publication that includes not only the entire range of available Union Plus discounts and benefit programs, as well as a group health savings discount program, with Union Plus’ Health Savings program provider, and a number of other discounts as well.

“The Union Plus staffer based in Las Vegas helped us arrange a union members-only discount at the sub shop where many taxi drivers buy lunch and at a gas station where they could save substantially on gasoline,” the 29-year OPEIU member adds.

A number of strategically situated drivers were trained as internal organizers and especially in the range of benefits—and how the average driver would save much more than they pay in dues.

With the guides always visible in their cabs — or in their hands as they talk with other drivers, the member-organizers have had impressive success.  As a special incentive, if someone signs up, they’re given the benefits guide right on the spot.

To date more than 600 taxi drivers have joined the union during the campaign, which has been operating for only a few months.

Buoyed by the success in Las Vegas, OPEIU is utilizing Union Plus in several other internal organizing efforts from Arkansas and Florida to Michigan.

“It’s working for us and can work for many other unions too,” Wohlforth concludes.

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Need help or have suggestions? Email leaders@unionprivilege.org or call the Union Leader Line at 1-800-472-2005 or 202-293-5330 in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

In this section, there are materials for leaders to use for promoting all of the Union Plus benefits. Each international union selects the Union Plus benefits available to its members. To find out which programs your union participates in, click here.