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<blockquote data-quote="Ricochet1a" data-source="post: 539629" data-attributes="member: 22880"><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="font-size: 12px">Let me make my position clear. I want a union to be certified so that employees have a chance to get back their defined benefit pension plan, get a reasonable top-out time, and get a benefits package that doesn’t cost $200 a month in premiums. Personal sympathy has absolutely nothing to do with anything (the public’s sympathy is VITAL, which I’ll illustrate below). This is an issue of pure pragmatism and motivated self-interest to get back what was taken from me (and every other FedEx hourly employee). The best and only way to do that is though a union. Wishful thinking isn’t going to accomplish anything. Carefully choreographed actions by the Couriers, RTDs and mechanics stand the best chance of thwarting Fred S’s actions taken over the past few years. PSP died last year, and EVERY FedEx employee (with the exception of the executives and aircrew) was thrown under the proverbial bus to meet Smith’s desire for extra revenue to grow the company. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="font-size: 12px">Recommendations to march down to the Teamster’s local right now and sign a union card is what the Teamsters definitely want, but it doesn’t necessarily serve the best interest of the individual signing said card at this time. For this “endeavor” to have any chance to succeed, employees that are in the undecided category need to be persuaded and informed. Unfurling the banners and singing La Internationale isn’t what the majority of potential union members have in mind.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="font-size: 12px">With the removal of the RLA restrictions, many stations will easily vote in a union and gain a bargaining position. However, not all stations have a majority of employees that are even interested in a union. I work in such a station. I’ve spoken with most of the employees at my station and inquired as to the leanings of those who I haven’t spoken to. If a union vote were to be held at my station right now, it would result in a union NOT being recognized. A large part of the reluctance to unionize is the negative reputation of the Teamsters in the minds of the undecided. If another union (or potentially an independent FedEx employee only union) was an option, then I believe my station would narrowly approve union representation. I know that similar situations exist in other stations where I’ve corresponded with employees which work there. This is something the Teamsters are going to have to overcome. I’m not overly enthused about having a choice between the Teamsters or nothing; but it is the only choice that exists and I will sign the union card when the time is right. What I want is for every FedEx employee to have as much information as possible, and then make a decision based on what is right for them, INDIVIDUALLY. My goal would be best served by gaining union representation. However, many employees don’t think as I (and they do have valid opposition based upon their personal goals). I can persuade and inform; but I can’t in good faith tell someone to take an action which may be against their personal interest. Right now, signing the union card and engaging in public demonstrations is counterproductive in my opinion. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="font-size: 12px">To prove my point, look at the FedEx news articles which appear in the “FedEx News” link on the forum. Virtually every print story in the U.S. that has “FedEx” in the text is linked in the list. Read the article to get the angle the writer is taking with the story. Then (and most importantly), read the comments section – if one is provided by the news provider. This provides a good gauge of how public opinion is going towards the issue and FedEx in general. About 75% of the comments are supportive of the corporation AGAINST the employees. About 25% are supportive of the employees “rights” to organize to better their compensation package. Fred S has ensured that FedEx (the company) has a VERY positive public “image”. This shows in the comments section of the news stories. When a story comes out which talks about employees potentially certifying a union, the “public” has a generally negative opinion. This is an obstacle which must be overcome. In the event of an employee strike, negative public opinion against the striking workers is more powerful than the best corporate negotiator. During a strike, each side wants to appear as the “victim”. With the economy in the shape it is in right now, FedEx would look to be the victim, not the employees. We know this isn’t the case, but the PUBLIC perception is what is important. This is a case where the “facts” aren’t the deciding factor, but rather the sympathy play… and we aren’t getting the public sympathy right now. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="font-size: 12px">Going out and staging public demonstrations right now wouldn’t build sympathy for FedEx workers, it would build resentment. With a 10% unemployment rate looming, people afraid that they are going to be the next ones laid off and people getting reductions in their work hours; seeing a group of currently employed FedEx employees protesting for an INCREASE in pay, a REDUCTION in benefit premiums and an “enhancement” in their current pension plan (when they are taking pay CUTS, looking at NO benefits and the possibility of NO pension), is a non-starter in the public sympathy department. Let’s don’t shoot ourselves in the foot before the true battle has actually begun (a contract negotiation AFTER a union is certified). </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="font-size: 12px">The reason Fred fought to keep the RLA exemption, is that he knew it was next to impossible to have 50% of ALL FedEx craft employees to vote to certify a union simultaneously. In certain areas of the country (the north-east and west coast), getting 50% to vote to certify a union within an operating location was a snap. But when their votes were to be “diluted” with the votes of the employees voting to not have union representation in the remainder of the country (as per RLA requirements), a union didn’t stand a chance of being certified. Getting FedEx’s RLA exemption pulled now allows a union to get their “foot in the door”. However, it won’t be certified automatically on a national basis. In some areas (north-east and west coast), union certification will be almost automatic with the RLA exemption being pulled. In the rest of the country, it will be an effort to persuade the undecided or reluctant employees to put their trust in the Teamsters, rather than FedEx’s “Board of Directors”. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Calibri'"><span style="font-size: 12px">This is why the Teamsters need to attempt to gain the trust of the FedEx employees FIRST; NOT trying to get a FEW to go out and create a media event. A media event is in the best interest of the Teamsters, but it will do nothing to persuade the undecided and reluctant FedEx employee that the Teamsters are the best course of action for them. With the rest of America afraid about their own jobs right now, having a circus appear on TV wouldn’t do much for garnering sympathy for OUR situation. </span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ricochet1a, post: 539629, member: 22880"] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Let me make my position clear. I want a union to be certified so that employees have a chance to get back their defined benefit pension plan, get a reasonable top-out time, and get a benefits package that doesn’t cost $200 a month in premiums. Personal sympathy has absolutely nothing to do with anything (the public’s sympathy is VITAL, which I’ll illustrate below). This is an issue of pure pragmatism and motivated self-interest to get back what was taken from me (and every other FedEx hourly employee). The best and only way to do that is though a union. Wishful thinking isn’t going to accomplish anything. Carefully choreographed actions by the Couriers, RTDs and mechanics stand the best chance of thwarting Fred S’s actions taken over the past few years. PSP died last year, and EVERY FedEx employee (with the exception of the executives and aircrew) was thrown under the proverbial bus to meet Smith’s desire for extra revenue to grow the company. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Recommendations to march down to the Teamster’s local right now and sign a union card is what the Teamsters definitely want, but it doesn’t necessarily serve the best interest of the individual signing said card at this time. For this “endeavor” to have any chance to succeed, employees that are in the undecided category need to be persuaded and informed. Unfurling the banners and singing La Internationale isn’t what the majority of potential union members have in mind.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]With the removal of the RLA restrictions, many stations will easily vote in a union and gain a bargaining position. However, not all stations have a majority of employees that are even interested in a union. I work in such a station. I’ve spoken with most of the employees at my station and inquired as to the leanings of those who I haven’t spoken to. If a union vote were to be held at my station right now, it would result in a union NOT being recognized. A large part of the reluctance to unionize is the negative reputation of the Teamsters in the minds of the undecided. If another union (or potentially an independent FedEx employee only union) was an option, then I believe my station would narrowly approve union representation. I know that similar situations exist in other stations where I’ve corresponded with employees which work there. This is something the Teamsters are going to have to overcome. I’m not overly enthused about having a choice between the Teamsters or nothing; but it is the only choice that exists and I will sign the union card when the time is right. What I want is for every FedEx employee to have as much information as possible, and then make a decision based on what is right for them, INDIVIDUALLY. My goal would be best served by gaining union representation. However, many employees don’t think as I (and they do have valid opposition based upon their personal goals). I can persuade and inform; but I can’t in good faith tell someone to take an action which may be against their personal interest. Right now, signing the union card and engaging in public demonstrations is counterproductive in my opinion. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]To prove my point, look at the FedEx news articles which appear in the “FedEx News” link on the forum. Virtually every print story in the U.S. that has “FedEx” in the text is linked in the list. Read the article to get the angle the writer is taking with the story. Then (and most importantly), read the comments section – if one is provided by the news provider. This provides a good gauge of how public opinion is going towards the issue and FedEx in general. About 75% of the comments are supportive of the corporation AGAINST the employees. About 25% are supportive of the employees “rights” to organize to better their compensation package. Fred S has ensured that FedEx (the company) has a VERY positive public “image”. This shows in the comments section of the news stories. When a story comes out which talks about employees potentially certifying a union, the “public” has a generally negative opinion. This is an obstacle which must be overcome. In the event of an employee strike, negative public opinion against the striking workers is more powerful than the best corporate negotiator. During a strike, each side wants to appear as the “victim”. With the economy in the shape it is in right now, FedEx would look to be the victim, not the employees. We know this isn’t the case, but the PUBLIC perception is what is important. This is a case where the “facts” aren’t the deciding factor, but rather the sympathy play… and we aren’t getting the public sympathy right now. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Going out and staging public demonstrations right now wouldn’t build sympathy for FedEx workers, it would build resentment. With a 10% unemployment rate looming, people afraid that they are going to be the next ones laid off and people getting reductions in their work hours; seeing a group of currently employed FedEx employees protesting for an INCREASE in pay, a REDUCTION in benefit premiums and an “enhancement” in their current pension plan (when they are taking pay CUTS, looking at NO benefits and the possibility of NO pension), is a non-starter in the public sympathy department. Let’s don’t shoot ourselves in the foot before the true battle has actually begun (a contract negotiation AFTER a union is certified). [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]The reason Fred fought to keep the RLA exemption, is that he knew it was next to impossible to have 50% of ALL FedEx craft employees to vote to certify a union simultaneously. In certain areas of the country (the north-east and west coast), getting 50% to vote to certify a union within an operating location was a snap. But when their votes were to be “diluted” with the votes of the employees voting to not have union representation in the remainder of the country (as per RLA requirements), a union didn’t stand a chance of being certified. Getting FedEx’s RLA exemption pulled now allows a union to get their “foot in the door”. However, it won’t be certified automatically on a national basis. In some areas (north-east and west coast), union certification will be almost automatic with the RLA exemption being pulled. In the rest of the country, it will be an effort to persuade the undecided or reluctant employees to put their trust in the Teamsters, rather than FedEx’s “Board of Directors”. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]This is why the Teamsters need to attempt to gain the trust of the FedEx employees FIRST; NOT trying to get a FEW to go out and create a media event. A media event is in the best interest of the Teamsters, but it will do nothing to persuade the undecided and reluctant FedEx employee that the Teamsters are the best course of action for them. With the rest of America afraid about their own jobs right now, having a circus appear on TV wouldn’t do much for garnering sympathy for OUR situation. [/SIZE][/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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