I guess that I am a little confused. As a union member, I have been through several contracts and two strikes, always seeking our fare share, for reasonable wages, benefits and working conditions.
So here is my dilemma. Why are some of my fellow workers giving back what we have worked so hard for? Why are some of my fellow union members working off the clock for free?
Every morning around Tacoma we have people who start before their scheduled shift. Maybe it is just looking at your load for the day, (I need to know how I am loaded), maybe its just logging on a few minutes early (I got to get out of the garage so I can get to coffee with my friends) or maybe its going to the storeroom for supplies, (just trying to beat the crowd). No matter what the excuse, you are working for free.
The contract that I work under says that I am to be on the job for eight hours each day, with a lunch period and two fifteen minute breaks. Should I do less than that, the company has the right to discipline me. However, if I do more than required the company has no obligation to compensate me for my effort and labor. This may not seem like an important issue to you, so please consider this point of view. Every three years at contract time we hear about the take backs the company is asking for. We will all complain and demand that our bargaining team protect us, and then no matter what the contract looks like, we will complain about what we lost. Then some of those same members voluntarily work off the clock, giving away their labor free of charge to the very same company who is refusing to honor the agreements that they bargained and agreed to. To me this sends a clear message to management. It says that you don't think your time is valuable, that you don't deserve to be compensated for your labor..
Personally, I don't work for free, my time is worth something. I am content to do an honest days work; eight hours of work for eight hours of pay. Not eight hours fifteen minutes or twenty or maybe an extra thirty minutes for just eight hours of compensation. Anything less is cheating the company, anything more is cheating on my fellow workers.
Lastly consider this, with all of the internal measurements that US WEST is implementing to gauge productivity, are you helping the company prove that you can and should be more productive when you are working off the clock?
In Unionism, Clay Bowlby
Want to help others without any out of pocket expense? If so...please donate your useable items to the local Telephone Pioneer group garage sale August 24&25 at 407 S. 138th St. (in Parkland) 9A-4P. Contact Council President Carol Bartle at 531-4185 or just come by, shop and talk.
The Telephone Vintage Equipment Museum at 757 Fawcett is open 9-12 every Thursday. Stop in - a great display- tours welcome! Info at 752-3313.
This past year your Pioneer group has been helping the Tacoma Rescue Mission with designated monthly donations on the 4th Tuesday of months September to May when we meet for lunch. The October lunch will feature the Golden Oldies Fashion Show (Goodwill Industries). Please call to confirm if you plan to attend.
Sept. 10-12 at Pine Village KOA in Leavenworth will be "Little Bavaria" which is a gathering of the telephone family and friends. It's always fun..something for everyone. Call 272-0100 for reservation forms.
Call Carol Bartle 531-4185 for info on any of these events
Congratulations to Pam Mikaele on the birth of her second daughter. Pam will be gone for another 5 weeks or so.
During her absence the recorder will be available, and Officers will be checking it often as well as making frequent visits to the hall to take care of as much of the daily business as possible.
If necessary, you may e-mail the hall also at cwalocal@msn.com. The office number is 572-7804 and the fax is 383-8822.
During the May meeting, a motion was passed that no stewards or executive board members shall participate as an in-charge for management.
Bill McGee was voted in as the new Legislative Chairperson.
Motion carried to change format of monthly newsletter to bi-monthly
Discussion of construction splicing bringing in up to 5 contract crews (the latest is that this probably won't be as large or not happen at all)
Much of the wrecking and pole transfer work has been given out to contractors
I&M and Cable Maintenance are to be put on a "Select 200 plan", a new form of performance management designed to ramp up production and intimidate employees to raise their production levels despite roadblocks, management decisions, and answering to the"computer". Of approximately 900 techs, they want to weed out 200. Currently, management denies this was ever a policy they spoke of or planned to implement.
Over the last two months, we have donated another $173.00 to the Steelworkers. Every member should be able to contribute a couple of bucks each month to their cause.
Motion carried to contribute a $50.00 donation to the Retirees Organization Fund for District 7.
Motion carried to send Nancy McGinnis to the Washington State Legislative Conference in Wenatchee Aug. 19.
Saturday schedules for I&M have been resolved, Mitch Chaput and Clay Bowlby met with management and have successfully gained some changes. However it remains to be monitored due to management's lack of ability to follow through on verbal agreements.
Back to the newsletter archives.