The members are the union and we the members elect our local union officials. I am the union in my parts as well as alot of other members that are too chicken $h|+ to get involved. These same members love to reap the financial rewards and blame the local union. They don't want to file a grievance because it might spoil there side deal with management. Or management could look in there glass house and see how dirty it is. Let's blame the local because they love to point the finger but all the while they just don't want to man up and do what is right which is take a stand for what is right.
You couldn't be more wrong I.
Union members are the union, first and foremost.
Leadership is chosen from amongst the members and unless empowered by the membership they have zero affect on anything.
That is where the disconnect exists within OUR union.
Your mindset illustrates the weakness that will be our union's undoing.
Leadership needs to exist at all levels of a union, from the guy working next to you, to the shop steward, to the local and international president.
A union is measured by the sum of it's parts, and only as strong as it's weakest link.
Make no mistake, our weakest link exists on the front line, not in any local or international office.
anonymous an Bubblehead,
Having both of you disagree with me is not taken lightly.
I respect you both for your contributions to the Brown Cafe and the attitude you have about the truth.
You both seem to value the truth.
I agree with you on the point that the members are weak.
For the most part membership is blight with moral weakness, cowardice, self centeredness, dishonesty, insubordination, poor work ethic and lack of Integrity.
All of UPS suffers from these same character defects. Management as well as union members.
Integrity believes that every member is responsible to address every contract violation that is observed every time it is observed.
Every day if necessary.
It means something to be part of a union and members should act like it means something.
This being said, you both know that sadly this just isn't the case.
The morale of the membership is very low and continuing to decline daily.
What causes this?
Lack of leadership.
Lack of being led personally by the Truth and lack of be led by the leaders of the groups that individuals are associated with.
The Union.
True union leadership will honestly recognize the weaknesses of the membership and take any and all steps necessary to challenge and motivate the membership to union-like thought and action.
It is the Leaders responsibilty to galvanize the membership of the members they lead into united thought and action.
This applies to
all Union representatives from Stewards all the way up to President of the International.
If they can't do this they are not true leaders.
Sincerely,
I