Creating an Account

Join your union's Grassroots space in just a few minutes. All you need is an invite link or your union's name.

Prerequisites

  • Your union must already have a Grassroots space set up
  • You'll need to know at least 2 existing members who can verify you
  • Have a valid email address (optional, but recommended)

Step 1: Get Your Union's Link

Ask your union organizer or steward for your union's invite link. It will look something like:

https://join.grassrootswork.org/your-union-name

Step 2: Choose a Username

Your username is how you'll be identified on the platform. Choose something:

  • Memorable: Easy for coworkers to recognize and remember
  • Professional: Use your real name or a variation (e.g., alice.smith, asmith)
  • Unique: Must be unique across your union's space

💡 Pro Tip

Using your real name helps build trust with fellow members and makes it easier for organizers to verify you. Anonymous features are available after verification.

Step 3: Create a Strong Password

Your password should be:

  • At least 12 characters long
  • Include uppercase and lowercase letters
  • Include numbers and symbols
  • Unique (not used on other websites)

⚠️ Important

We strongly recommend using a password manager (like Bitwarden or 1Password) to generate and store a strong, unique password.

Step 4: Add a Display Name (Optional)

Your display name is what people see in channels. It can be different from your username and can include spaces and emojis.

Examples: "Alice Smith", "Alice (Night Shift)", "Alice 🌹"

Step 5: Submit Registration

Click "Join [Your Union]" to create your account. You'll be automatically logged in and taken to the Lobby.

What Happens Next?

After creating your account, you'll land in the Lobby—a public space where new members wait to be verified. Here you can:

  • Read the welcome message and union guidelines
  • See who else is waiting for verification
  • Get instructions on how to find members who can verify you

You won't have access to protected channels until you're verified by existing members. See the next guide to learn about the verification process.

Troubleshooting

Username Already Taken

If your desired username is taken, try:

  • Adding a middle initial: alice.m.smith
  • Adding a number: alice.smith2
  • Using a nickname: ally.smith

Password Too Weak

The system enforces strong passwords for your security. Use a password manager to generate a secure password that meets all requirements.

Email Not Working

Email is optional. You can create an account without one, but you won't be able to recover your password if you forget it. We recommend adding an email for account security.

Next Steps

Now that you have an account, the next step is to get verified by existing members.