The Journey of Engaging and Organising Workers Through Digital Means

Abstract

This practitioner note examines the motivations that the Singapore Supply Chain Employees’ Union (SCEU) had in embarking on their journey of engaging and organising workers through digital means. The advent of new, digital tools and the evolution of communication methods amid changing work and workforce landscapes meant that new and effective ways to reach out to more workers needed to be devised. SCEU’s foray into digital platforms as a means of communication, engagement and organising of workers was thus borne out of a desire for progressivity as much as it was an existential necessity. There remain challenges that must be addressed to ensure that the use of digital platforms translates into successful organising. This practitioner note draws from SCEU’s experiences and outlines its digital organising strategy in response to these challenges, as it works towards its aim of establishing a strong foundation and community of supply chain and logistics workers for the next generation of SCEU leaders to continue building upon.