Partners

Database and Lead Referral Application

Ornamental Iron and Sheetmetal Workers Unions

Several sheetmetal and iron labor unions based in New York City and New Jersey with an active membership of over 1300 had a challenge. The members participate in the construction of many of New York’s buildings and skyscrapers. But they all experienced the same problem – skyscraper construction took less time than going through the arduous process of actually getting the work.

The Unions used a paper-based system to track which members needed work and which were already employed. Those members that were available for work, had to physically commute to the union hall in Manhattan to put their name on a sign-up list. The list was then used to refer out jobs in the order that the members were signed up. Often members would remain idle in the union hall each day without being called for an open job. Seeking a solution to this problem, Brave New Telemedia was contracted for the job.

Brave New Telemedia consulted with the Union to get a clear and detailed understanding of their process of gainfully employing their constituents.
A complex algorithm was incorporated into the system requirements and based on when the member signed up, how much they had been working historically, and their near term pattern of accepting or refusing job opportunities.
These business rules were coded into a new system and tested vigorously.
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology was implemented so that members could communicate with the union from their individual locations – eliminating a wasteful commute for their members!
Once complete, Brave New Telemedia trained members on how to use the system.

The end result was a completely revamped process to allow members to efficiently communicate their availability to the union so they could be contacted for a job referral.

Today, the Referral Hall System now manages the daily operation of the union’s job referral processes. This solution has saved the union countless hours of record keeping and eliminated ad-hoc communication. It has also saved the membership from wasted travel and waiting time, freeing up members to do what they do best.