Effective Local Unions

“We need a lawyer.”

How many times have you heard a member say that when your local is dealing with the latest case of bad behavior by the employer? Thanks to movies, TV, and advertising by lawyers themselves, Americans have an inflated view of what lawyers can and will do for workers. The reality is that the laws of our country were mostly written by and for employers and heavily tilted against working people, and lawyers can’t perform miracles. What workers need is not more lawyers, but strong 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.

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.

Except for contract time, it's tough these days to get members to meetings. Members have family obligations, or there's the other part-time job to get to. This makes it even more important to make Union meetings interesting, orderly, and concise.