LaborPress | Kerri O’Brien | October 13, 2025
Leaders set the tone. When stewards, officers, and supervisors normalize prevention, members follow through. This week is about practical steps you can implement quickly to help members book and keep screenings—without new committees or long debates.
Open with a message members can hear. Start your next meeting with two minutes that say: “If you’re due for screening, schedule it today. If you’re unsure, call the plan. If you’re nervous, we’ll walk with you.” Repeat it in a short email and post it on your local’s social channels. Consistency matters more than eloquence.
Publish a one-pager: “How to Schedule.” Coordinate with your benefit fund or health plan to list in-network imaging centers, hours, whether a referral is needed, and a live phone number for help. Print it for breakrooms and share digitally. Most members don’t need persuasion—they need clear steps.
Create a Screening Week. Pick a specific week and promote it hard. Encourage members to use an hour before or after a shift. Where possible, work with management to flex schedules so screenings don’t mean lost pay. The more concrete the logistics, the higher the participation.
Use the tools your contract already provides. Remind members how to use sick leave, personal time, or preventive-care provisions for screenings. Share exact steps to request time off, with no stigma. If your contract includes paid preventive time, spotlight it.
Stand up Peer Navigators. Recruit respected members across shifts and worksites who agree to be listed on the bulletin board as go-to helpers. They don’t give medical advice—they help with logistics: who to call, where to go, what paperwork is needed, and how to request time off. A friendly voice beats a generic brochure.
Think multilingual. If your membership is multilingual, get translated versions of your one-pager. Ask your plan or imaging center—many have ready-to-use materials.
Finally, measure what matters without invading privacy. Ask your plan for de-identified counts of screenings completed and follow-ups scheduled. Use those numbers to fine-tune outreach—no names needed.
Leaders: post a photo and a short note when you get your own screening (no medical details). “I made my appointment—have you?” is powerful.
Share what’s working in your local so others can replicate it: [email protected]. For ready-to-share posts, follow LaborPress on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
