Brothers and Sisters, there is evidence that the word regarding the fight to
keep our own local is spreading. Some of you have been visiting the website
without joining or leaving a message posted. That's okay, because the word
is still being spread and the more our brothers and sisters hear about it,
the better. Sooner or later, most of you will have to realize that there
will come a moment of decision, when you can no longer stay "on the fence".
That time may be approaching faster than we realize. The more our brother
and sisters find out what's really going on, the more concerned they become.
Would you believe that there are still brothers and sisters that are still
not aware that their local is being taken away from them? It's really
shocking! Especially when they get the news about what is being attempted. I
am amazed when I ask them if they voted for the "consolidation". They say;
"There was a vote?". That tells me everything I need to know about the
legitimacy of what is happening. Brothers and sisters from other 347 MOU's
have expressed anger over their inability to fight back, but now there ARE
ways to fight back. There are Opposition Documents being circulated that can
make their way to the Employee Relations Board. This let's the Employee
Relations Board know that there is an Opposition and this Opposition needs
to be heard. For those of you who don't know; The Employee Relations Board
is the one to approve of who is a recognized bargaining unit and who is not.
If you do not have their approval, you cannot be a recognized bargaining
unit for city employees. For those many of you who have already signed this
document, thank you, your voice will be heard by the people who need to hear
it. For those of you who have not, arrangements can be made to distribute
and collect them, just leave a posted message on how we can contact you and
make the necessary arrangements. It's not too late!