The contract ratification vote took place last week. The agreement was ratified overwhelmingly by members at the California Service Center (CSC) and Kaiser San Diego. We are now waiting to hear from the other unions of the Coalition, so far everyone has ratified it.
What are the primary challenges to our union? Member apathy seems to be the most significant issue. With greater member involvement, we could be more effective at the bargaining table.
On a related note, some members prefer to tell on their coworkers (union brothers and sisters), rather than talk to them! Recently, I learned that a fellow Steward's advice to a member was to 'tell the union' about the behavior of a fellow member. Her advice is wrong in several ways; first, you'd tell the boss in order to get someone in trouble (not the union). But, more importantly, instead of advising a member to tell on another member, first encourage the member to talk to his/her coworker. Unless there's a specific reason that talking with a coworker would be unhelpful to the situation, you should always attempt to afford them the opportunity to address and correct the issue.
AFL-CIO: "Work Connects Us All"
Supporting Politicians Who Support You
The J.B. Moss Voice Of The Electorate (VOTE) Fund is a political action fund which ensures OPEIU has the financial resources necessary to support pro-worker candidates, as well as to make our case on issues of importance in Washington D.C. and in local government. Please consider contacting our union and signing up for small but meaningful contributions of just $1 or $2 through automatic paycheck deductions.
You may also choose to make a contribution by check at any time (note that there is a $1,200 annual maximum limit):
JB Moss VOTE Fund
80 Eighth Avenue, Suite 610
New York, NY 10011
If you're not already a member of our union, why should you join? For starters, money- Union members earn better wages and benefits than workers who aren't union members. On average, union workers' wages are 30% higher than their nonunion counterparts. While only 14% of nonunion workers have guaranteed pensions, 68% of union workers do. More than 97% of union workers have jobs that provide health insurance benefits! Unions also help employers create a more stable, productive workforce where workers have a say in improving their jobs. Want to know more? Give our union a call & mention that you saw this article on OPEIU Voice - (619) 640-4840
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