The simplest thing locals can do with their website is make basic information available to members.  That information includes contact information for leaders and stewards; information about contracts with employers, and the local's bylaws; details of the workers' benefits package, and answers to frequently asked questions about it; dates of upcoming meetings, elections, and other events; and so on.

Locals can also use the web to build community within their organization.  Some simple steps along these lines include publishing a member directory, including photos and contact information; publishing photo and video galleries, including photos of the members at work or at events sponsored by the local; providing members with information about membership groups, including choirs, volunteer clubs, or other groups within the local; allowing members to communicate with each other, via forums or a blog; encouraging members to do volunteer work needed by the local; and so on.

Websites can also be used to assist workers in improving their working conditions.  The first thing locals should do is, to the degree possible, put the grievance filing procedure online.  An online grievance process can encourage members to file grievances sooner, rather than later, to ensure that problems get addressed early and that memories don't go stale.  Furthermore, the website can be used to gather member opinions about upcoming contract negotiations or other important business items within the union.  Finally, the site can be used to provide workers with important information about health and safety online - including basic tips, news related to use of new equipment or other potential hazards, and information about filing a compensation claim.

Larger locals, especially locals which tend to employ a lot of stewards or business agents, should also think about putting their core processes online.  This step can be as simple as making training materials, handbooks, and other kinds of how-to guides for stewards available on the website.  It can also be a bit more elaborate - for example, making it possible for stewards to share their workload with one another, or to pose questions for one another, using the web.  Locals whose stewards are particularly web-savvy should think about helping stewards organize their work online - for example, by helping them manage appointments, keep track of ongoing grievances, etc.  Considered carefully, some of these steps can help union locals take a big leap forward in improving member services.

Finally, websites can be a good way to keep union retirees and family of union members involved.  Retirees, in some cases, are already highly motivated to visit the local's website, since they have pension plans or other benefits, about which the local might be able to provide good information.  Family members are perhaps less likely to visit a local's website, except perhaps when a strike is looming, or there's some other exceptional circumstance; certainly, in these cases, the local should provide high-quality information to family members who might visit the site.  Even in non-exceptional circumstances, though, locals should think carefully about the kinds of information which might be helpful to family members and retirees of the local, and make sure to make this information easily available to them.

Most of the suggestions I've listed here can be provided through cheap or low-cost software, so union locals should not hesitate in developing full-fledged member-servicing websites simply because they think the cost will be too high.  Moreover, excellent web development companies like Prometheus Labor can provide locals with the technical expertise they need to get started.  Providing high-quality, easily accessible, and frequently updated information online is an important complement to offline member servicing.