Scenario: A labor union (e.g., 1199SEIU, AFSCME, or AFT) wants to poll members quickly and fairly on key issues — such as contract ratification, strike authorization, benefits changes, or internal leadership decisions — while ensuring transparency, trust, and inclusion across chapters and locals.
How Episdemos helps / value:
- The union’s leadership (regional or local) uses the Episdemos Swarm Manager portal to create and publish proposals, resolutions, or survey questions (e.g., “Approve the new collective bargaining agreement?”).
- Members receive notifications on the mobile app (and optionally by SMS/email) with concise summaries of each issue, links to the full contract text, and clear Yes / No / Abstain voting options.
- Votes are anonymous, but member eligibility is verified through union IDs or secure invite links per local chapter.
- The system generates real-time aggregate results, allowing leadership to see participation rates and sentiment at national, regional, or local levels.
- Members can comment anonymously or post short voice notes, enabling nuanced feedback beyond just “yes/no.”
- Union leaders can then publish outcomes and next steps (e.g., “Contract ratified — 72% in favor”) through the same platform.
Efficiency gain:
- Eliminates the logistical complexity of paper ballots and in-person voting — especially across large or geographically dispersed memberships.
- Enables simultaneous votes across locals with automated tallying, cutting administrative effort by over 90%.
- The portal dashboard centralizes management, participation analytics, and communication — no spreadsheets or manual collation needed.
- Speeds decision cycles dramatically — results in hours, not days.
- Allows members to vote securely without leaving their workplace or home.
Inclusivity gain:
- Empowers all members, including those working irregular shifts or remote job sites, to participate equally.
- Anonymous feedback lets lower-ranked or less vocal members express honest views without fear of reprisal.
- Multi-language interfaces ensure immigrant or multilingual members can understand proposals.
- Mobile-first accessibility ensures participation even among members without laptops or desktop access.
- Encourages a bottom-up democratic culture — making leadership decisions visibly aligned with the collective will.
Example Outcome:
United Healthcare Workers – Maryland/DC uses Episdemos to poll 20,000 members on a proposed healthcare benefits change.
- 78% vote “Yes,” 19% vote “No,” 3% abstain.
- 1,500 members post short anonymous comments explaining concerns and priorities.
- The leadership releases an update within 24 hours: “Members across all 12 Maryland/DC locals have approved the benefits agreement by a wide margin. Thank you for making your voice heard through Episdemos — your participation shaped the final negotiation terms.”
Result:
Episdemos becomes the union’s trusted democratic engine — making collective bargaining more transparent, responsive, and member-driven while dramatically improving both efficiency and inclusivity.