Author
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Topic: I'm going to be in a union!
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 04 October 2006 07:59 AM
So, I got a new day job that starts in the middle of October, and it's a unionized position. I'm pretty happy about it - I've never been in a union before. One thing I'll say is that I've learned so much about labour issues on babble over the past five and a half years. I have occasionally wished I was in a union in a couple of really horrid jobs in the past, but for the most part I haven't really cared much one way or the other when the job is relatively comfortable. When I started on babble, I really didn't know much about how unions worked, or their reasoning behind taking some of the stands that they do, and that at first I didn't find myself agreeing with. But most of the time, arguments here have won me over and made me understand, and while I was always relatively pro-union (especially when arguing with people who were against), I am moreso now than I ever was before, after having been exposed to a lot of excellent information and discussions about it. So, I am pretty happy about the prospect of belonging to one.
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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N.Beltov
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4140
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posted 04 October 2006 08:07 AM
Well, make sure you go to the meetings even if you cannot participate much more than that. And get yourself a copy of the terms and conditions of work or Collective Agreement.The CA (for some reason many people refer to it as the CBA or Collective Bargaining Agreement) will include matters of rates of pay, hours of work and all that good stuff. The heart of any CA, however, is the method of resolving disputes, typically called the Grievance Procedure. The important part of this, for a regular rank and file member, are the timelines of each step of the procedure. Become familliar with the ins and outs of this; it is important should you have a matter of dispute and want to know the general outline of how things will proceed.Finally, find out the duration of the CA. When does it start and when does it end? In the period prior to the end of any CA is a "window" during which negotiations can start for the next CA. This is the time you should think about improvements to the CA. If there is no CA then your union has a duty to go ahead and negotiate one. Good luck, sister! Supplemental: Larger unions have many opportunities for learning and so on. Look into this and take advantage of these as much as you are able. You will be able to meet active members who will provide a great and realistic example to emulate. [ 04 October 2006: Message edited by: N.Beltov ]
From: Vancouver Island | Registered: May 2003
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Steppenwolf Allende
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 13076
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posted 04 October 2006 09:53 AM
quote: So, I got a new day job that starts in the middle of October, and it's a unionized position. I'm pretty happy about it - I've never been in a union before.
Congratulations on your new job, Moderator Michelle. I hope this doesn't mean you're leaving the Rabble (who the Hell else is going to keep reminding me of the "limits" around here). Too bad Rabble isn't union shop. Maybe you folks could work on that too. BTW, take N. Beltov's advice seriously. It's up to you as a union member to get informed and involved. Don't wait for someone to pull you in. Take initiative. That works best. And don't be too put off by the usual BS like: quote: My personal experiences with unions do leave a lot to be desired, though. Unions were definately necessary at one time, and in certain areas are still necessary, but they tend to attract the "deadweight" and reduce the productivity of the organizations that I have seen them in.
The truth is unions are more than just necessary. They are historically proven essential organizations in building any kind of democratic cooperative community and prosperous and sustainable economy. The worn out "unions were necessary" crap is usually just wishful thinking on the part of corporate cliques looking to maintain their dictatorial exploitative rule over everything. And don't worry about the "deadweight" stuff you might hear, either. You often find the people who complain the most about deadweight are the people who are the most overpaid and least productive: the bosses, senior stockholders and the layers of useless corporate management. But don't be too surprised if you meet the occasional pooch-humper among the work force. Given the rotten values our capitalist dominated economy pushes, like short-changing, get rich quick and easy, climb the corporate ladder, get ahead at others' expense and suck-hole to undemocratic authority, it's amazing all of us aren't gold-brickers of some kind. Usually, though, the biggest doggers are the biggest brown-nosers to the boss. That's how they get away with it. You won't find too many of these types to be really interested in union activism, since that takes courage, patients and hard mostly unpaid work. Anyway, I hope the job works out for you and, if it's interesting enough, you take advantage of whatever union training or trade advancement programs there might be and maybe make a growing career out of it. I admire your enthusiasm. I wish more people had your drive and positive resolve. All the best to you.
From: goes far, flies near, to the stars away from here | Registered: Aug 2006
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Wilf Day
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3276
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posted 04 October 2006 11:18 AM
Being in a union is a beginning, not an end.The union is its members, plus its structure. Hard to generalize about unions. For example: How big is the bargaining unit? how big is your local union? (That's usually the same question, although not always.) A small bargaining unit can mean a weak union, whereas a huge one might mean an impersonal union. What is the union? A strong Canadian union like CUPE or CEP can give you all kinds of side benefits and opportunities. Are the other members in your local active? A union whose members gripe about working conditions but fail to come out to union meetings has a problem it needs to address.
From: Port Hope, Ontario | Registered: Oct 2002
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unionist
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11323
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posted 04 October 2006 06:23 PM
Michelle,I'm thrilled. Besides all being "progressive" (whatever that means), we're now in the same "trade union movement" (whatever that means). I've been here for almost 35 years, and I swear it's just as frustrating and rewarding as at the start. 1. Follow Beltov's advice - it's sound. 2. What Wilf said about people. If anyone tells you "Union X is better than Union Y", just nod and smile. All I'll agree with is that some unions are beyond hope. Among those that aren't, it's the individuals that make the difference. Think of school. Good school, bad school? Not in my experience. Good teacher - you can luck out and find her/him anywhere, and away you go. The union's like that. And who knows, the "good teacher" will probably turn out to be you. In solidarity, unionist
From: Vote QS! | Registered: Dec 2005
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CUPE_Reformer
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 7457
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posted 04 October 2006 10:27 PM
Michelle,Congratulations. You should read the union's constitution and local bylaws. What is the name of the union? [ 04 October 2006: Message edited by: CUPE_Reformer ]
From: Real Solidarity | Registered: Nov 2004
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