Opinion


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03/12/08
Samuel Gompers speaks to us still:

1904: Today more than ever . . . the capitalist class, or the worst elements in that class, stand as a constant opposition to anything we may demand, and also as a constant force to try and invade the rights we have already secured, and to take away from us the advantages we have achieved.

(Vol. 6: Samuel Gompers to AFL Convention, Nov. 1904)

Vic Kordish
Three Rivers Unit

02/11/08
Contractors, contractors, contractors.

Over the years we have worked with them and taken breaks with them.  We must stop being so friendly!  They have been slowly taking our jobs away from us; construction, janitors, logistics.

The latest attack is in the building maintenance group.  An ISP was offered to the entire group and the following week Verizon was hiring Linc as the new building contractor (a grievance has been filed).

Last week at Terrace St, Linc invited us to a meet and greet.  Shame on any IBEW member who attended!!  Hope you enjoyed your FREE donut!

If you encounter one of the contract building people; do not help them, do not give them directions or offer any type of assistance.  Refer them back to their contract supervisor.

Get educated!  Get involved!  Do not wait until your job classification becomes endangered!  We need to unite now and try to hold onto the jobs we do have.

Remember - We are the Union!

Pam DeWeerdt
President
IBEW Local 1106

11/26/07
The words of Samuel Gompers are not only still true, none of us could improve upon them:

1893: We want more school houses and less jails; more books and less arsenals; more learning and less vice; more constant work and less crime; more leisure and less greed; more justice and less revenge; in fact, more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures, to make manhood more noble, womanhood more beautiful and childhood more happy and bright.  These in brief are the primary demands made by the Trade Unions in the name of labor.  These are the demands made by labor upon modern society and in their consideration is involved the
fate of civilization.

In solidarity,
Vic Kordish
Three Rivers Unit

11/02/07
Contracting Work Out

I was disturbed today, as I read the minutes of the Muskegon District Safety Committee, to learn that Members were being directed to contract-out tree trimming work.  The minutes even went so far as to provide a telephone number for techs to call and arrange tree service.  Although I realize the perils of tree trimming, I find it hard to believe that given the proper training and equipment it is somehow less hazardous for the employees of a private company to trim trees than for our own Members.  1106 Members in various departments have removed fallen trees and limbs from telephone cables for years.  But, unfortunately, tree-trimming is not the beginning.  We have watched as other Union functions have drifted to various other states or been taken over by contractors.  We have seen the construction, buildings, fleet and logistics departments depleted as more and more work is done by non-Bargaining Unit employees.

As I watch our membership dwindle, I wonder.  Could it be possible that our own apathy is playing some role in our willingness to dispose of "unwanted" Union work through contract labor?  Could it be possible that we have forgotten what it means to be good Union Members?   Although we are diverse in many ways, we must be unvaried and uniform in our principles regarding organized labor.  The fact that an issue does not directly affect you or your job classification does not mean that it should be any less important to you.  If we allow or encourage the company to remove Union work of any kind from the Bargaining Unit, there will soon be no Bargaining Unit.  A oneness of mind is what makes us strong.  Without it, we are doomed.

It is inappropriate, under any circumstance,  for IBEW 1106 Members to hire contract labor.  Contracting work out  is a management function and will be scrutinized per the Articles of Agreement.

Please believe that the job you save could be your own.

Travis Spreitzer
Executive Board
IBEW 1106

11/01/07
Unit Meeting Attendance
 
Our local union is made up of six (6) units.  They are Adrian, Owosso, Imlay City, Alpena, Three Rivers, and Muskegon.  We have a monthly unit meeting in all six areas.  At this time our averaging attendance for all six meetings is deplorable!  There shouldn’t be any reason that everyone can’t attend a meeting once a month, for a couple of hours.   These meetings allow you to know all of the doings of our union across the state.  You learn how other areas are handling problems, what grievances are being filed, and how they are settled.  You get to know all of the other people in your areas, and hear about others.  Unions are our best defense against employer excess, and also how our collective voice is heard.   We have to stick together when we are trying to fight for workplace rights.  The best way to stick together is to get together, once a month at our union meetings.  This union is you and your co-workers, and the only time we see a lot of you, is if you have a complaint.  Yes, we need to see you then, but we also want to see you participate on a regular basis.  The Executive Board of your union has been talking about cutting out some of the unit meetings, because of low attendance and financial constraints.  I sure hope they don’t cut out my meeting, because I want to be able to go to the meeting, without traveling 100 miles or more.
 
In Unity,
Donna Klinger
Recording Secretary Treasurer/Local 1106