Talking points for recruiting new members

Welcome

Hi, welcome to MAPE! Thank you for taking time today to talk to me about our union. I'd like to get to know you a little bit and talk to you about our workplace, union and upcoming contract negotiations. But first, let me tell you a little about me.

  • Short introduction about yourself.

Transition to talking about themselves:

  • How long have you worked for the state?
  • Why did you come to work here?

Relating and listening to the other person 

Ask good, open-ended questions and listen well. Suggestions: 

  • How did you get into this work?
  • Do you like working here so far?
  • What would engage you in our union?
  • Did you see our new hire emails about MAPE?
  • What it means to be in our union and how you can join? 

Why is the union important to you?

Be personal here and speak from the heart. 

  • What is the value of the union for you? 
  • Why did you decide to get involved in MAPE? 
  • What’s something in the contract that’s really important to you? 

Contract and urgency

We have always prioritized advocating for our members. Every two years, we negotiate for a new contract. It takes all of us standing together in solidarity to win a fair contract. Health care and wages tend to be top of mind for our members. MAPE has only gone on strike one time, in 2001, and it was due to potential health care hikes. MAPE members stood in solidarity then and that is why we still have one of the best health care plans of all working Minnesotans. MMB tries to push more and more health care costs onto us each contract cycle, so we have to be ready to fight back.

 Making the Ask 

 

Make it personal, specific and immediate: 

  • We need people like you to join with us to build a strong organization to fight for a fair contract.
  • You must be a member to vote on the contract each cycle. Join MAPE so you can casty our ballot and let your voice be heard.
  • Every vote matters; it sends a message to the legislature that our jobs matter and we deserve this contract.
  • Will you join with me and make our union stronger today?

Pause, make them answer. 

If yes: 

Great! Ask them to fill out the card online at www.mape.org/join-mape. If you’re meeting via zoom or the phone, email them the link or share it right away! Let them know they will sign twice – once agreeing to membership and again to pay dues. Invite them to your next local meeting! 

If no: 

May I ask what’s holding you back? 

If I want to think about it: 

Ask them what they are weighing up in their minds about the decisions then make an appointment to follow up with them. 

If money is cited as the reason not to join:

Some food for thought. Without our union, we know we would be making less money and paying more in health care. We also would not have a say in our workplaces. It's easy to look at the money and want to keep it for yourself. Without everyone pitching in to fight for a fair contract, we would all be paying more. The lower the membership number, the more MMB is going to push back and try to raise our costs. In the 2025 cycle, the proposed health care costs would have been up to $104 every paycheck. Our dues are far cheaper than that.

Next Steps

  • Direct them to the website for more information
  • Let them know who the local officers are
  • Let them know when local meetings are held