[MSUNAG] APA Union Info
Well said, Linda.
I have not read all comments, but those I have seem very
concerned about the cost of a Union (good questions) but oblivious to the
benefits of a Union. Our job security, health benefits,
regulations regarding our hours, and rules regarding how our employer may treat
us come directly from our Union negotiations. Not from MSU's
benevolence.
I worked in N.C. for 6 years at 3 different companies (2 of
then Universities) -- all without unions. Many bosses gave
raises based on flattery ("he's a good team player" = laughing at the
boss's jokes for an hour every morning instead of working).
Forget performance, work quality, and merit. If you wanted
a good raise or promotion, work had better come first ahead of
everything: you better be willing to skip your kid's birthday dinner
and work late on a project; or suddenly work 15 hour days to get somebody
else's project done (and who cares if you get sick afterwards); or cancel
your vacation because your boss "forgot" a critical project.
If you say "No, my family comes first." too many times, don't be
surprised when you are given a 0% raise, or "let go" with no warning, no
recourse, and no severance pay. I saw that
happen.
Don't
be fooled into thinking that this type of behavior is rare or just from the
1950's. Companies are out to make money, period. Most do not care
about you -- they want the job want done as cheaply as possible (hence
out-of-country out-sourcing). You and your benefits cost them money, and
reduce their profits. If you are a shining star and have head-hunters
lining up to hire you willing to give you whatever you want just to get you to
work for them, sure, no problems. Otherwise, you'd better be ready to play
the game, and have no life.
I am not saying that the APA Union is perfect (I'm not
thrilled about the increase either), but I do appreciate our Union and it's
protection.
Please note everyone: Danny
is the one who keeps starting all the lawsuits, thus wasting everyone's (read
OUR) money and time. He appears to be very anti-union because he is
supported by anti-union groups
I am uneasy with anything
that he says mostly because he would have made an excellent politician (this is
NOT a compliment), so I suggest that you get a large amount of salt and add it
to anything that he says...
From: MSU Network Administrators Group on behalf
of Danny Layne
Sent: Wed 10/8/2008 10:04 AM
To:
[log in to unmask]
Subject: [MSUNAG] APA Union
Info
The APA Executive Board's antics and the looming 11% dues
increase are old
news. Check out <www.apawatchgroup.org>. These people
have been raising the
alarm for more than 18 months, including the fact that
the APA Union will go
broke if the Board continued to deduct extra money to
pay for everyone's
dues supplements, MEA office space rental, and all of the
Board members'
dues. The 1-day notice for Dues discussions is absurd and the
1-week notice
about the Annual Membership Meeting is not only ludicrous, but
it also
violates the Union's Constitution & Bylaws. This is especially
true since
there are MANY MANY APA Union members who did not get the latest
newsletter
or receive any notification about the scheduled Annual Meeting.
The
Constitution & Bylaws also require a 30-day notice for the annal
membership
meeting (ARTICLE II: Meetings Section 1. A general membership
meeting of the
Association shall be conducted in the fall of each year. The
specific date,
time and location shall be designated by the Executive Board
and
communicated to the membership at least thirty (30) calendar days prior
to
the meeting.) Remember, though... the Union Constitution & Bylaws
say
MEMBERS ARE IN CHARGE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, NOT THE BOARD (ARTICLE
IV:
Officers and Executive Board Section 1. The Executive Board shall be
the
governing body of the Association except when meetings of the membership
are
in session).