United Labor Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What's Included in the Cost? Are There Any Extra Fees?

There are no additional costs beyond the one-time implementation fee and the monthly licensing fee.

Your licensing fee includes everything you need to run your union operations smoothly, including technical support, system maintenance, secure cloud hosting, regular software updates, and staff training.

We also include the development of new features. As your union’s needs grow, our team is ready to build new tools and enhancements that align with your goals. If it benefits your organization and fits within the LaborForce platform, we’ll work with you to make it happen – at no additional charge.

Think of us as your technology partner, not just a vendor. Once you’re a client, we’re fully committed to keeping your operations efficient, secure, and up to date.

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Can Different Users Have Different Permissions or Access Levels?

Yes. Each user can be fully customized to match their role and responsibilities within your organization.

During the implementation phase, we work with you to define user-specific permissions. This includes setting which screens each user can access, whether they have view-only or edit rights, and what data or tools are available to them.

For example, office staff may have full access to member records and billing, while union representatives might only have access to grievance tracking or worksite information. You’re in control of who sees what, and we help configure the system accordingly.

User permissions can also be updated at any time, so your system remains flexible as your team evolves.

How Often Is Our Data Backed Up?

With a standard license, your data is automatically backed up once per day. If you require more frequent backups, we offer additional backup schedules as outlined in the Hosting Agreement.

All backups are stored securely across multiple trusted backup services. Your data is fully encrypted both in transit and at rest. We also implement file versioning and immutable data retention policies, which means your backups cannot be altered or deleted – giving you an added layer of protection against accidental loss, ransomware, or malicious activity.

Our goal is to ensure your union’s data remains safe, accessible, and fully restorable whenever needed.

Can the System Be Automated to Save Time?

Yes. We work closely with each client to identify time-consuming tasks that can be automated based on their day-to-day operations.

Nearly every module in the system supports automation – whether it’s processing member updates, sending reminders, flagging exceptions, or generating recurring reports. Many clients start with basic workflows and then request additional automations later as they become more familiar with the platform.

Our goal is to help your team reduce manual, repetitive work so you can focus more on supporting your members. If you ever want to streamline a process or change how something works, just let us know. We’ll make it happen.

Can We Request New Features or Enhancements?

Yes. We welcome and encourage feature requests from our clients.

If there’s a workflow you’d like to streamline or a new tool that would make your day-to-day easier, just let us know. As long as the enhancement aligns with the platform and benefits your operations, we’ll include it at no additional cost.

The only time a fee may apply is if the request involves third-party services, APIs, or licensing fees outside our platform. In those cases, we’ll provide full transparency before moving forward.

Our goal is to continuously improve the system to better serve you and your members.

What Kind of Support Is Included in the License?

Your monthly license includes full access to our support team at no extra cost.

We provide phone, email, and remote screen-share support for all users on your account. Whether it’s answering questions, troubleshooting issues, or walking staff through workflows, we’re here to help.

Support also includes system maintenance, ongoing staff training (as needed), and assistance with updates or feature rollouts. You’ll never have to worry about hidden support fees. We’re your long-term partner, not a help desk with a clock.

If you need something, just reach out. We’re ready to assist.

Can We Use Electronic Webforms for Things Like Check-Off Authorization Cards?

Yes. LaborForce supports secure, customizable electronic webforms for a variety of union documents – including check-off authorization cards, member applications, grievance submissions, and more.

These forms can be accessed online from a computer, tablet, or mobile device, and are fully integrated with your system. Member data entered through the forms flows directly into the platform, reducing manual entry and speeding up processing.

Each form can include electronic signatures, date/time stamps, and auto-routing to the appropriate staff or department. We’ll work with you during implementation to design forms that meet your legal, operational, and branding requirements.

If you ever need a new form created or updated, just let us know – it’s all part of the service.

Do You Offer Website Design and Hosting Services for Unions?

Yes. In addition to our LaborForce platform, we offer full-service website design, development, and hosting tailored specifically for labor unions and benefit funds.

Whether you need a simple informational site or a more advanced member portal with secure logins, document libraries, event calendars, and webforms – we’ve got you covered. Our design team will work closely with you to match your union’s branding, goals, and communication style.

We also handle all the technical pieces, including hosting, SSL security, domain setup, and mobile responsiveness. Once the site is live, we provide ongoing support, updates, and training so your team can make changes or post new content as needed.

It’s one more way we help unions modernize their operations and better serve their members.

How Long Does a Typical Union Software Migration Take?

A full migration into LaborForce typically takes 12–16 months. The exact timeline depends on the size of your union, the condition of your current data, and how quickly your team can review each phase of the project.

ULS handles the entire conversion process; data extraction, cleanup, mapping, validation, testing, and final cutover, while your office continues running normally. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition with accurate data and zero downtime for your staff.

Can We Track Changes and See Who Updated a Record?

Yes. LaborForce includes built-in change tracking that records when updates are made and which user made them. This provides transparency, accountability, and a clear audit trail, helping unions maintain accurate records and quickly resolve questions about data changes.

Can We Send Targeted Messages to Specific Groups of Members?

Yes. LaborForce allows you to send targeted email and text messages to specific groups of members based on criteria like employer, status, location, or benefit eligibility. This ensures members receive relevant information without unnecessary messages, improving communication and engagement.

United Labor Systems

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