LTB 656/16 : GENERAL CONFERENCE 2015 : MOTION 63

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LTB 656/16 - GENERAL CONFERENCE 2015 – MOTION 63

No. 656/2016

04th November 2016



GENERAL CONFERENCE 2015 – MOTION 63



Dear colleagues,

I write to inform branches, we have dealt with the issues raised in motion 63, General Conference 2015. The full details of the motion and our actions are set our below.

Conference instructs the NEC to produce a report on how best to use social media to forward CWU policies.

The Review must look at current activity and determine whether it is ‘Fit for Purpose’. The terms of reference (ToR) will need to be established. In those ToR key tests need to feature which are listed below;

Does the Facebook Group ensure that correct information is presented to our members?
Does the Facebook Group protect members from cyber bullying, when contributing within the group?
Does the Facebook Group allow non-members to access the Group?
Does the Facebook Group deny managers’ access to the Group?
Does the Facebook Group project the correct image of the CWU to the membership?
How is the Facebook Group Moderated/Administered from CWU HQs?
How much misinformation is posted on the Facebook Group?
Does Twitter provide more control of correct information flow?
This list is not exhaustive.

This Report will need to be concluded within six-months following the close of General Conference 2015, this report will then be circulated to branches, with supporting recommendations.

The NEC is instructed accordingly.

Eastern No.4

Firstly, I would like to thank the Branch for raising such an important matter and apologise for the time it has taken to deal with this issue. Our social media plans and how we protect our members online are both vital to the overall communications strategy of the union. In short, the questions raised by the Branch were the exact reasons why we took the decision to close the Facebook group and open up a new page, which gives CWU HQ far more control over content.



Does the Facebook Group ensure that correct information is presented to our members?


No, information posted on the group, from dozens of sources was found to be incorrect and at times misleading. Now, all content is either posted directly by or shared by CWU HQ, so all information is in line with CWU policies and procedures.



Does the Facebook Group protect members from cyber bullying, when contributing within the group?


No, we found several incidents of inappropriate behaviour on the Facebook Group and this was overseen by a totally negative culture. Individuals and small groups dominated debate. With the introduction of our new approach, all replies, comments and posts from outside of The Communications Department are reviewed and if inappropriate, removed.



Does the Facebook Group allow non-members to access the Group? Does the Facebook Group deny managers’ access to the Group?


No, it did not as a rule but with members leaving the union and retiring, it was always hard to take an exact line on this. Also, now the content is moderated and in line with our policies, we want to grow our following amongst members and the public – the page allows us to do this, without members putting themselves in the firing line. Trying to implement such stringent rules will not see our support bases grow. It is far better that we control the page on an open basis, than have a small unmoderated, free for all.



Does the Facebook Group project the correct image of the CWU to the membership?


The answer to this is, again, clearly no, for so many reasons – image, brand, foul language, bad advice, negative culture and more. The current page provides a clean feed of news and information for members.



How is the Facebook Group Moderated/Administered from CWU HQs? How much misinformation is posted on the Facebook Group?


Previously, the group was very loosely monitored, in essence, giving control of the site to members. Additionally, there were several problems with weekend monitoring and resource. Now, the page is monitored daily by our Website Administrator and we also provide cover at weekends. This insures that no misinformation is posted onto our page.



Does Twitter provide more control of correct information flow?


At the time of this motion being submitted, yes. Now, with our changes in place the flow of information on our Facebook and Twitter pages is equally accurate.

SUMMARY

We have significantly changed our social media strategy in 2016. This has resulted in better quality platforms, increased profile, increased followings and the ability for The CWU to become a ‘trending’ topic 5 times already. This is against a backdrop of never having done so before.

In 2017, we will, as a Department look to take this approach on several steps and more information on this will be shared in the near future. For now, I would encourage branches to share our key accounts with all members and inform them that regular news, views and videos are communicated on these platforms.



FACEBOOK

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Facebook Group: DAVE WARD GS



TWITTER

@CWUNews

@DaveWardGS



Yours Sincerely,



Chris Webb

Head of Communications, Engagement and Media

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Why Cannot they the CWU email/gmail us and not use a private company from the USA to inform us as now the narrative has changed with the recent election of a non union liking business man and dealing with the USA may result in untold data migrations to other parties not for the benefit of the workers.