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Members/recipients can click here to log in at notify.Workingsystems.com, using their cell phone number, to opt-in or opt-out of receiving text messages. You can also scan this QR code to opt-in now:

Click here to view a video with instructions for opting in and opting out on this website.

The FCC adopted new rules relating to texting in December of 2023. The previous rules of the TCPA only applied to phone calls, but this was considered a loophole that prevented the FCC from going after bad actors abusing text messaging. These new rules are meant to eliminate that loophole. Click here to read more. 

Unfortunately, this catches unions and ourselves in the crossfire. The texting providers now have much higher exposure to fines if they aren’t enforcing all the new requirements. The texting providers now require proof that we're attaining affirmative consent from the recipient before our system can send text messages to that phone number.

Based on the way these rules are written, the fines end up being per text message that violates these rules. The minimum fine per text message is 500 dollars, and can go as high as 1500 per text message if it can be proven to violate "knowingly and willfully". Click here to read more.

As you might imagine, most union locals are sending enough text messages that it would add up fast.

The perception among commentators is that most situations won't reach litigation or fines for users like us at the volumes we're doing. The purpose of the rule change is largely to give teeth to the FCC and the Consumer Protection Agency to chase down bad actors that send huge volumes of text messages to people who never consented to them.

However, the risk is non-zero. The concern we have is that, historically, if someone came along wanting to bash unions with whatever legal bludgeon they can find, this could be wielded by a crafty enemy of labor unions. 

So, in order to conform to this, and ensure that the system has the lowest risk possible, we are not allowing exceptions to the affirmative opt-in requirement in our own opt-in system. While the perceived chance of litigation and the resulting legal fees and fines is very remote, the possible expenses are great enough that the risk isn’t worth it.

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