NWAS UNISON to Launch New Website

NWASUNISON.COM is to undergo a major redevelopment over the coming months.

Our new site, launching in June 2010, will offer a number of new features for users, more content, a unified design and greater use of modern web technologies such as flash media, and eventually podcasting and video to communicate with union members and the public.

In addition to more content, the new website will allow stewards to update parts of it relevant to their area of work directly through a web-based content management system, as well as giving them the ability to update pages on the move if they wish via mobile technology for the iphone, blackberry and other smartphones.

We hope this will lead to news relevant to members being available online quicker, and in greater quantity than we currently provide. We also hope to make greater use of social networking sites such as facebook, MySpace and Twitter to keep staff in the loop and provide as many forums for debate and member participation as possible.

Users will be able to comment on news stories, join online discussions, receive email updates on issues of interest, participate in online member consultation via workplace experience surveys and much, much more. The plan is to expand upon this to include podcasting and various other features in the future.

NWASUNISON Branch Communications Officer, James Bull, said: “The last 9 months have seen the number of members who access our site rise as we’ve made more regular updates and publicised our successful members’ forum – nwasunison.com now typically receives over 2,400 page views a month.

“However, the huge geographical base our members are spread across, coupled with time constraints on senior branch activists, poses a real challenge when it comes to ensuring members in all areas have the widest, fullest and most relevant information available to them on the ground. This new site will put powerful and accessible communications tools directly into the hands of local activists, stewards and organisers, making it more relevant to more people, giving members a voice and helping to transform our online service into the member-led asset it has the potential to be.”

Our current site will continue to function with regular updates in the run up to June, as will our members forum.