We currently have 72 members in our local. There is a need for someone of you to
step up and become a steward. It saddens me to hear people complain about their working
conditions and knowingly allow Management to violate our agreement but yet fail to
provide the Union with a statement. I mean that people are not requesting stewards
or filling out statements that allow the Union to investigate the situation but then
they want to complain about what is or is not happening when they know it is wrong!
It is not just about filing grievances; there are safety committees that require
immediate attention and there are legislative issues that require involvement. When
was the last time you contacted one of your senators or congressman? Are you giving
to COPA? Try becoming involved with one of these issues. Our PSEs are depending on
our survival, not only as a company but as a Union. Do you think that you could care
enough about them the way that those before us cared enough about us? Our legacy
will be defined by our collective efforts. We make a decent wage and have great benefits
because of our ability to collectively bargain with our employer. Don’t ever forget
that, and, if you do forget that, then don’t bother saying goodbye when you leave
because you were never a part of our struggle to begin with!
The contract is your guide and you have a responsibility to enforce it just as your
officers and stewards do! I took an oath to do so, yet each and every day I become
disheartened when I see all the sweetheart deals that continue to go on. Do you people
care about your place of employment? Do you care about your job? Do you care about
your fellow coworkers? Do you care about your Union? Then please get involved in
any way that you can.