Effective Local Unions

Un buen delegado sindical es muchas cosas - organizador, negociador, consejero, uno que mantiene la paz y un revoltoso.

Pero hay ciertas cosas que un delegado deberá evitar a todo costo:

Error 1 - Falta de Representación Justa

Esta no solo deja a la unión vulnerable a ser demandado por violar su obligación a proveer representación justa, sino también no es correcto. Socava el propósito entero de la unión y la idea misma de la solidaridad. Hay que medir cada queja por sus propios méritos, sin importar quien la presenta.

A good union steward is many things - an organizer, a negotiator, a counselor, a peacemaker and a troublemaker. But there are certain things that a steward must avoid at all costs — and the latest UE Steward takes a look at the twelve biggest. This issue also includes a basic review of union stewards' rights.

En la última reunión del local de la unión, Jimmie Higgins, el delegado principal, había quejado que la mayoría de los miembros no sabían nada de lo que había hecho la unión recientemente, y peor, ni les importaba. El local no había distribuido ninguna noticia desde que habían negociado su contrato hace dos años atrás. Con aun menos tiempo disponible, menos miembros de la unión asisten a las reuniones de la unión, especialmente en los locales con miembros trabajando jornadas múltiples o con miembros dispersos por áreas geográficas extendidas.

UE has always believed that our strength comes from the members running their union. But to do this, the members must be fully informed of what's going on in their workplace, their union, and the larger community. Keeping the members fully informed is essential to developing and maintaining strong members’ participation. Without it, what often develops is an “inner circle” of a few members who know what’s going on – and an apathetic membership who knows little, and cares less, about the union. What’s a local union to do to keep their members informed?

El consejo ejecutivo sindical en Telsa Coil Inc. está un poco preocupado. Sus negociaciones de contrato empezarán en sólo 3 meses. En los tres años desde su último contrato, ha habido muchos cambios en el lugar de trabajo. La membresía ha aumentado porque ha habido nuevo trabajo en la fábrica, pero a la vez, una parte del trabajo fue transladado a México. Departamentos que antes eran la fortaleza del sindicato, ahora están a la mitad de su tamaño.

The union executive board at Telsa Coil Inc. is a little worried. Their contract negotiations begin in just 3 months. In the three years since their last contract there have been lots of changes in the workplace. Membership has increased because new work was brought in the plant, but at the same time some of the old work was moved to Mexico. Departments that once were the strength of the union now are half their size. New departments with a lot of new workers make up a large part of the shop.  Telsa is located in a state that prohibits union shops.

Keeping the members informed is one of the basic elements necessary for building and maintaining strong and effective local unions — and a local newsletter can play an important role in helping build good communication.

Ralph and the other officers of the Union were trying to figure out why fewer and fewer members came to the regular monthly meetings. Ralph was saying, "I asked Rachel why she doesn't come to meetings any more. You know what she said? 'It takes forever for anything to get decided. Last month's meeting went on for 3 hours. Everybody was talking about different things, so nothing ever got settled on.

The union members at United Fabricators just voted to accept a new contract. For months the Company has tried to make them agree to pay 50% of their health insurance costs. The members had resisted and the negotiating committee stayed firm. The new contract contained good pay raises and they held the line on the insurance costs. Ideal Fabrizio, the chief steward stood outside of the union hall looking for any reporters.

UE locals across the United States operate under many different conditions. Some exist in "right to work" states where union membership is completely voluntary, but the union must represent the "freeloaders." UE locals exist in the public sector where the biggest problem can be politicians out to make cheap points. In other locals our organization wasn't strong enough to win a union shop, even where it is legal.