Just got elected to my union's bargaining committee

[Bill McBlueState]

I'm with the Graduate Employee Organization at UMass, part of UAW Local 2322. It's bargaining time again, and I decided to accept a nomination to serve on the bargaining committee.

We've got a wonderfully diverse committee, with some who have been here for five years, some who just set foot on campus, and teaching and research assistants from a wide array of departments in the sciences and humanities. There's even a representative from the MBA program. (A lack of interdepartmental solidarity is usually one of the major hurdles to having a strong academic union.)

I think things will go more smoothly this year than the last time around. As state employees, we're dependent on the machinery of state government to fund our contracts, but the state is in much better fiscal shape now than three years ago, and we have a much more cooperative, progressive legislature. Now, we just need to get a Democratic governor in November. Romney has been hell for the state employee unions.

It's not going to be easy. We're expecting the university to go after health coverage and offer raises far below inflation. But I think our side is up to it.

[davsand]

1. Good job, and thanks for stepping up!

Our local GEO (U of Illinois) absolutely ROCKS. That is one group that you can count on EVERY time. They had a tough time getting that local set up (the U of I fought it every step of the way) but they managed to get it done and keep it going strong.

A Carpenter I know has a great story about an Informational Picket they had set up outside one of the U of I buildings and a GEO member. This guy walked up to the line and said, "man, I have no choice, I have got to cross your line. I have GOT to go in that building. Give me two minutes and I'll be back out."

Sure enough, that guy was back out within two minutes and he brought out four other GEO folks with him. They walked out of that building, walked up to the line, and asked for signs. They walked the rest of the time that line was in place...

Again, I tell you good job, and you rock for doing it!


Laura

[Omaha Steve]

2. The union is only as strong as

Those that do the work.