Using WhatsApp for union organising and communications - A TUC Digital Lab guide

Oct 22, 2026

Upload by Rowan

Guide on using WhatsApp for trade union organising and communications, outlining how the platform’s group, community, and broadcast formats support engagement, dialogue, and direct announcements. Explains WhatsApp’s strengths for fast, high-visibility messaging compared with email and discusses practical setup considerations, culture building, communication style, and key risks that unions must mitigate. Includes examples and a comparison table of format differences, size, participation rules, and join options.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Choosing the right format for your purpose

Some examples

Before setting up on WhatsApp

Creating a positive culture and engagement

Approaching risks

Communication style

Using WhatsApp in union organising and communications A TUC Digital Lab guide Introduction WhatsApp is the most used app in the world, with an estimated 30.1 million users in the UK alone. While WhatsApp is best known as a messaging service, it is also possible to make and receive audio and video calls, send voice messages, and share photos, files and links. The service also allows group communication as well as marketing communication. Shared conversations are possible within small interest groups or up to hundreds of people at once. Based mainly around a mobile app, and requiring a phone number to hold an account, WhatsApp is closer to text messaging than to email in terms of engagement. Typically, 90% of recipients will view a message, and they will do so much more quickly than they would with an email. WhatsApp has the potential to be a powerful tool for organising, helping trade unionists to connect, spread their message and organise members and supporters. But at the same time, engaging on the platform holds a number of significant risks for trade unions, which will need considerable thought in mitigation. This guide includes some best practice tips and suggestions for making the most of WhatsApp. Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 2 Choosing the right format for your purpose ..................................................................................... 3 Some examples ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Before setting up on WhatsApp ............................................................................................................. 7 Creating a positive culture and engagement .................................................................................... 9 Approaching risks ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Communication style ................................................................................................................................ 15 Choosing the right format for your purpose There are three main ways of using WhatsApp to connect with members and supporters in your network: WhatsApp group A shared space where members can communicate in real-time. Like a group of friends sitting in the same room-everyone can see and hear everything that is being said and anyone can speak (on default setting – though moderators can disable open replies fora group) . WhatsApp community This allows you to bring related groups under one umbrella. Community admins can send important updates to all the groups in the community at the same time. WhatsApp broadcast This allows you to send a message to multiple contacts at once. The message sent by you will appear as an individual message in the recipients chat and they can individually reply to you. How to choose When deciding which type to use, consider the following: • What is the purpose? • What type of communication is needed: one-to-many or peer-to-peer? • How many people will I need to add? • Who will be able to join? This table outlines some of the key differences between the three formats. | | Group | Community | Broadcast | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Purpose | Engagement and dialogue with a group who have a shared identity or interest. | Multiple related groups as part of a wider organisation or campaign, with direct announcements. | Updates and announcements to a list of individuals. | | Type of
comms | Peer-to-peer dialogue between all group members.
Anyone in the group can send messages (if moderation settings allow) .
Polls and surveys. | Hybrid of one-to-many and peer-to-peer.
Admins can send announcements to the whol

FAQs

What are the three main ways to use WhatsApp for union organising?

WhatsApp group, WhatsApp community, and WhatsApp broadcast. Each supports different communication patterns such as peer-to-peer dialogue, hybrid announcements, or one-to-many updates.

How do WhatsApp broadcast messages work for replies?

Recipients receive the message as an individual chat and can reply to the broadcast list owner. Members cannot reply to each other through the list.

Why should trade unions consider risks when engaging on WhatsApp?

The guide notes significant risks when unions operate on the platform, requiring careful thought and mitigation to protect communications and engagement.

Oct 22, 2026

Upload by Rowan