Utility Workers ‘Changing to Organize’

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/04/02/utility-workers-changing-to-organize/

by James Parks, Apr 2, 2008

The highest priority of the union movement is help more workers join unions and, in doing so, to open the doors for millions of Americans to enjoy the benefits of union membership. But helping workers form unions takes time and requires a strong commitment of union members and resources to succeed.

Many AFL-CIO unions have made the commitment to change to organize. The Utility Workers (UWUA) union is the latest in a growing number of AFL-CIO unions to begin an internal change process with the help of our Organizing Department to organize more effectively, win bigger campaigns outside the broken National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) system and increase density in their core industry.

In a message on organizing in the union’s newsletter, UWUA President Michael Langford explains why the union has formed a partnership with the AFL-CIO to increase the utility union’s organizing capacity and success.

It’s no secret that organizing is hard work and not just big talk. Everybody has to be on board, and we have to mean what we say. And it’s no secret that successful organizing unions dedicate a significant portion of their time, energy, personnel and resources to organizing. UWUA is going to be a successful organizing union.

Langford says 30 percent of workers in the utility industry are union members, a lot better than the unionization rate of most industries, but

it’s not good enough to preserve and enhance the security and quality of our jobs.

FULL story at link.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

1. Divide and Conquer

Fragmentation of the union movement is a killer.

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One Big Union,One Big Strike!
--I.W.W.