It wasn’t just organizing the unorganized on the agenda at the Eastern Regional meeting in Chicago. One session touched on internal organizing and fending off raids and misinformation. Indiana Harbor Belt General Chairman Dan Wells explained how improved internal communication helped overcome an attempted raid by another labor organization in 2024.
When Brother Wells first discovered that a raid was underway, there was an outpouring of support from the BLET National Division, General Committees of Adjustment, and Divisions in the Chicago area. The Illinois State Legislative Board also lent support. “I can’t thank them enough for supporting the representational rights of Division 682,” General Chairman Wells said.
That initial response was enough to turn back the attempted raid. However, the BLET dug deeper to find the root cause of the unrest. Wells used the raid as an opportunity to unify and bring solidarity to his members.
“It changed how we communicated with our members,” Wells said. “Opening the lines of communication was the single best tool we used to increase awareness. Your strongest defense is your relationship with your membership and how effectively you are communicating. That builds the trust required with your membership that they don’t need to consider another organization in the first place.”
The members of Division 682 launched a members-only smartphone app, and one-on-one communication increased dramatically. Division officers also increased the number of in-person meetings and social events such as holiday parties and barbecues. “It helps bring the membership together with their families, spouses, and children. We allocate resources for those things because they’re important,” Wells said.
Wells said Division 682 Legislative Representative Jose Villasenor led the way in developing the smartphone app. Also instrumental in BLET’s success during the attempted raid were Division 682 Local Chairman Mark Busch, Secretary-Treasurer Frank Burns, and Vice Local Chairman Justin Evans.