With the help of our UFCW-developed Sidekick app, many locals are connecting with members and potential members face-to-face to grow our union family. This app is part of the UFCW’s Local Union Membership Management (LUMM) system, free software widely used throughout all of our regions to maintain accurate membership data.
The cloud-based Sidekick app enables union representatives to access LUMM member data securely and in real time on any mobile device or desktop. It includes maps of member activity, reports, and storage of signatures and documents.
UFCW Local 1500 recently used this app to re-sign over 600 members in just four days this month.
“Sidekick enables us to interact with our membership at a much closer level,” said UFCW Local 1500 President Anthony Speelman. “Our delegates engage members one on one as they walk around the job site with a tablet in hand, literally having that member’s information at their fingertips. Status changes and information modifications become instantaneous and our membership has responded with feeling their needs are addressed immediately.”
The Sidekick app offers many features needed to welcome and service our members, including an administrative and member gateway, use of multimedia, digital membership application, reporting, surveys, grievances, document and file repository, texting, email and an offline mode for areas not internet accessible.
“We have now taken on the task of re-signing our entire membership electronically as we push toward a paperless future, and Sidekick makes it possible to do so,” added Speelman. “And I love the added perk that hundreds of members each week get to personally meet their representative and learn that we are always working for them.”
You can view the introductory video for the Sidekick app here. Locals are encouraged to learn more about the Sidekick app or arrange for a training session by contacting Laurie Kolish at the UFCW International’s Information Technology Department at lkolish@ufcw.org.