Departments

Region 8 Web Class

March 01-04, 2005 Region 8 held another class for Web Site Development for Local Unions. A total of 12 participants signed up for the class taught by UAW Region 8 Webmaster John Davis.

Region 8 is using the Internet to bring their local unions together. The region includes we states, so keeping up with what other local unions are doing can be a challenge. The Region 8 Website has proven to be an affective communications tool for Region 8 members, and all Region 8 local unions have been encouraged to post sites of their own.

In a recent interview with Solidarity Magazine Region 8 Director Gary Casteel had these words concerning Region 8 websites. “The Web site (www.uawregion8.net) has been active two years now. We have had more than 300,000 hits. We average about 300 hits a day. The site is more than 400 pages and generates numerous organizing requests. When you are as spread out as we are, all methods of communication must be utilized.”

To assist local unions with development of their own sites, Region 8 has been offering twice yearly classes in web site development. One class each Spring for beginners and an advanced class each Fall. The classes have been affective in helping local unions take advantage of the Internet as a communication vehicle for their memberships.

“Local union newsletters are a primary source of communication to the membership,” states Region 8 Webmaster John Davis, who is also the webmaster and newsletter editor for Local 2195 in Athens, Alabama. “While newsletters cover the entire membership, they can be costly. A local union website allows faster and more frequent communication at a fraction of the cost. We have a great group of union communicators in Region 8 who have worked to hone their skills to make certain the membership receives the information they need. The leadership of Region 8 is very supportive of these members and of communication in the region.”