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Friday May 18, 2012
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Friday May 18, 2012
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Why Pay Union Dues?
By meetings like local annual general meetings, YOU, the members tell your local executive what it is you want them to do or what direction you want them to take. They, in turn, do the same, along with all other locals in a region, to the Regional Vice President. Then the Regional Vice Presidents, as members of the UTE Executive Council, will help set the Union's national agenda. This Council also takes direction from the UTE Triennial Convention which delegates from your local attend. The Union also acts as your bargaining agent for collective bargaining purposes to negotiate a Collective Agreement to cover the working conditions and benefits in your working life with your employer. I must say, that is no easy task. What has the Union done for me? Many members seem to think that the employer just gave us the rights and benefits that we have. When I joined the then Revenue Canada Department in 1975 this is a sample of what my working life was like:
In fact I'll even admit to you that when I joined there were no Taxation Centres or computers, other than the big one in Ottawa at the "Data Centre". The employer didn't wake up one day and decide to give these things to us……they were negotiated by the Union. Here are some of the things that we have attained on top of the ones mentioned above:
These are only some of the things that we have the ability to enjoy as Union members. It was the Union who attained these things; the employer did not voluntarily just give them to us. In some cases we had to exercise our right to strike and in other cases the threat of a strike and some job action was enough. And my comments do not even address Joint Consultation issues on policy and procedures in the workplace that have been improved because of the Union intervention. A good example of this is the Union/Management Initiative (UMI) where we attempt to resolve issues at the lowest possible level. THAT IS WHY I PAY UNION DUES!So, who is "the Union"? I can tell you who it is not:
It is "we" the members, which I am proud to be one of: One member with one voice. When you add us all together locally, regionally or nationally we make a very loud voice that cannot and should not be ignored by the employer or the Union. I am sure, that if your local executive is doing something that the members don't agree with, they hear about it. Or, if they are not doing something that the members want, they hear about it. Direction is given by the membership! On saying that, what happens when you the members don't do or say anything? What happens to the Union? To accomplish anything the members need to be behind it. There is safety in numbers and there is strength in numbers. Most of us are volunteers in the union and must have some kind of do-gooder instincts to do this kind of work, as well as thick skin, since we take some heat from the employer and the members. So, I'll ask you, before you want to go on a rant against the Union, ask yourself two things: Am I willing to do that job and better?And who is the Union?
In Solidarity,
Robert Campbell |
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It is often asked by the members….both new and old. I look at it like an insurance premium. The Union will be there when you need it. The Union is also the watchdog of the employer's actions, locally, regionally and nationally. At times, the Union also works jointly with the employer to develop policies and deliver information to all staff; harassment awareness sessions, joint safety and health committee training and the United Way campaign are just a few examples. Locally, regionally and nationally the Union raises members' concerns with the employer by way of Union/Management Consultation meetings. 