Some APWU members have responded to my posts by threatening to revoke their membership while nonmembers have justified their refusal to join their brothers and sisters in common efforts. Each of these reactions is totally foreign to my intent. While I have differed with some decisions of the administration, it is healthy debate and makes collective organizations stronger. Throughout my union career in leadership positions, well-meaning observers found strong exception too many of my decisions. I attempted to separate personal attacks from constructive criticism when the detractor had a different and perhaps better idea. And, over the 53 year period of leadership there were plenty of opportunities for many to take exception. These were and are intelligent human beings who offer alternatives.
To use healthy debate as an excuse for dropping out is wrong. It does not address the problem of aggressive leadership and does not advance our collective intent of improving conditions for postal employees. Managers and supervisors left to their own devises will deny employees’ an appropriate share of benefits from their efforts and that is why nonunion workplaces do not compare to the wages, benefits and working conditions of organized establishments; workers combined have more power to demand an equal share, including dignity and respect in their employment.
As a part of civilized society, we participate in collective units including our neighborhoods, cities, counties, states and the geographical areas known as our country. Each of these entities form governing bodies empowered to make decisions. Inevitably, many of the decisions made do not fit our expectations, but we do not abandon our affiliation to these entities because we disagree on one or many issues. Why should your affiliation with labor unions be different? We vote, write letters, send emails, make phone calls or just talk to our neighbors or associates but we do not quit. A labor union is no different from these other collective bodies. It’s your city, your country, your union. When we take exception to their decisions we must accept that they were made in good faith given the body of evidence available. I know each of the current officers and have the highest respect for them in the performance of their duties. My disagreement with selective decisions does not make them bad people or make me superior. If I had continued as president, I too would have detractors.
A labor union is as strong and as effective as its membership. Unlike services retained when securing professionals like lawyers, economist or mechanics whom we judge based on results, union officials are like looking in the mirror. They are a reflection of “us.” Notwithstanding my criticisms of the contract, 70% of the membership voting voted its approval. Sixty percent of the represented employees did not vote and by failing to express a view their reaction was “whatever.” We cannot separate the negotiators from those who ratified. The membership shares equal credit and blame and the first priority of a negotiator is get an agreement that will be ratified.
The most recent issues in debate have no more relevance to ability and commitment. People make decisions and should be judged on those decisions, but one that you disagree with is not reflective of its value to others who have equal expectations. But assuming a decision is incorrect, you cannot correct it from the outside. This is not the last contract that will govern your wages, benefits and conditions of employment. Mortal human beings make judgments, some that prove to be positive building blocks and others that are duds. As individuals, we are never as wonderful as our most honored accomplishments and not as bad as our worst.
Living is about waking each day with a commitment to make tomorrow better. Quitting is not a positive act, and never adding your voice to the struggle for more accomplishes nothing. The union is the only vehicle available to give you voice as an employee. It has its high moments and its lows, but it is you and only you can make it better. Be a member. Make a difference.
Dan Williams
I would hope that you would reconsider. The union is much more than what has been done. It is what will be done in the future and it is too important to your working life for you to not be a part of that future. If you have children how would you feel if after a family disagreement, your child decided to quit? The activities of the union today are no differant from the situation 20 years ago. You agree with some and disagree with others but you keep trying to make it better by paying dues, serving as a representative if you choose and making your voice heard. The union is you and you can never give up on yourself.
8/14/2012 3:22:58 AM
RE: Quitting
Bill,
You use the term “Healthy Debate” and “Debate” in your most recent blog. If there was such a thing as “debate” in this administration things would be quite a bit different. Our leaders are no longer communicating with us and quite frankly, seem to have the attitude that they don’t want to be bothered with our opinions. They have the attitude of we know whats best for you and its better if we keep everything secret and on a need to know basis. When the membership feels that the administration is not listening, and only cares about that the dues keep on rolling in, there is one way to voice our displeasure, that is to withhold support (dues) from the administration. I no longer feel that my upwards of $700 per year dues is going to a organization that is interested in in what I have to say, just that the dues keep going to them. I have tended my resignation from the APWU and feel it is the right choice in the current climate.
In my six years as union member I only see our branch protecting those who continue to be late and do their work. My former dues now go into my TSP.
Dan, I can appreciate your concern and disdain for the actions of the present administration of the APWU. I must inquire, since quitting seem to have been your only recourse “What contributions have you personally made except for paying your dues?” Are you a Steward, Officer, Delegate, and/or do you even attend your local Union Meetings? I realize that the disrespect and lack of communications flows all the ways down from the President to the locals, then from the local presidents to the stewards, so it leaves only two options which are to READ and attend your Union Meetings where you can ask questions to get clarification of what you have read and not quite understood or in other words, try and change the current climate since it can only be done from within and NOT QUITTING. As far as the reply from Maint on quitting and why, there is no reasoning WHY except that he hung in long enough to acquire his No-Lay-Off protection then bailed.
08/14/2012 at 16:27
I totally agree with your article “Quitting.” Its really a tragedy when so many of today’s APWU members remain silent on issues involving their livelihood, voicing no opinion either for or against issues.