What role does membership engagement play in the ILWU?

Membership engagement plays a critical role in the ILWU as it fosters solidarity among members, which is essential for successful negotiations. A united front strengthens the bargaining power of the union, enabling it to effectively advocate for members' rights and interests during contract discussions. When members are engaged, they are more informed about key issues, more likely to support collective actions, and better equipped to contribute to negotiations. This active participation helps ensure that the outcomes reflect the collective desires and needs of the workforce, making it a fundamental aspect of the union’s strength and efficacy in securing favorable contracts.

While other factors like communication channels and social events may play a role, they are secondary to the overall impact that strong membership engagement has on the union’s negotiating capabilities.