July 18, 2008

Dear Fellow Members and Those Peanut Gallery Rock Throwers(you know who you are)

Let me first say thank you to all of those members that have shown support andoffered any necessary help during these trying times.  Both Liz Jackson and myself appreciate your thoughts and ofers of help.  But we ask of you to reach out to thoseother members that chose to make the decision not to follow their work. We ask you to helpthem thru this transition and use any contacts that you as members may have to aid in a rapid resolve to their carreer change.

Now on to other issues,  some members are taking  issue with the local still employing former Qwest employees .  After checking with Reed Roberts at Distict 7 and Joe Gosigerour CWA Staff representative for a determination of CWA Constitution and Local BY-LAW  LANGUAGE.   The Local executive board made the determination that per CWA Constitution and Local Bylaws, member that has not been discharged from a bargaining unit employer for misconduct and does not have a grievance pending is to be considereda member in good standing as long as there has been no lapse in the collection of duesmonies by the International Union.  In other word if you pay then you can continure to be a member.  The eboard chose to retain several members to aid in the transition and provide support  during the Pocatello Centers waning days  These members have paid their dues and are current and considered members in good standing.  In fact one member paid 7 months dues in advance.

 It saddens me to think that the local has a hard time getting a quorum to conduct business.  Yet, there is a small portion to the unit that wants people that have been the most acitive within the unit to just walk away from our members.  But it doesn't surprise me, this is the same clique that will load a meeting with their supporters in order to get their own way, right or wrong.  This is the same clique that has questionable ethics at best and has been knownto share information with Qwest Management. This is the same clique that is putting their jobs on the line by using corporate assets to further their own self-serving agendas involving issues in the Union.  This is the same clique that screams when members who have taken their own vacations and paid their own transportation to  a meeting.   Get paid per diem because the eboard chooses to recognize them for taking their time and spending the own money for travel. at actually attending the meeting rather than going shopping.  This is the same clique that can't be bothered to show up to a meeting to air their concerns  or volunteer to attend 4 meetings a year via the CLC.

In the meantime, CWA is encountering a perfect storm, Qwest and 2 other major bargaining units are in the process of contract talks.  We need ALL MEMBERS to step up as a unit and support our bargaining team....

The first step it to return your strike authorization ballot no later than August 4th...

Watch for the opportyunity to turn-in the DFR-1 form

the next step is to be to ready to participate in mobilizations and make sure that you are ready in case we need to strike.

AND AFTER THE BARGAINING DUST SETTLES

Yes all members have a vote...........

That said, if you don't like the course that this ship is traveling.........

and you think that any eboard or steward has a glamorous, high paying job ......

then step-up sunshine.........

YOU'RE IN FOR YOUR OWN PERFECT STORM........

got issues call me........

leave me an email(hate mail)

in unity

George Symons

Secretary/Treasurer

 CWA Local 7621

MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING

 
.