Written by; Bill Brockmiller, Chair
AFSCME Local 2748 Chapter 10
07-09, 09-11 PSS Bargaining Team
DWD Labor Management Team
07/20/2011
As many of you are aware, the employer stopped deducting union dues from our paychecks (last union dues deduction appeared on the July 14th paycheck). Nevertheless, the union will continue to operate and continue to be the voice of reason and fairness in the workplace.
These protections and representations don’t just happen by magic – they happen due to the hard work of the volunteer army, your union brethren. Nor does it happen without expense, the union, like any organization, requires funds to operate.
The union needs you, yes you, to remain active and diligent. And if you haven’t signed up for post July 14th union dues deduction; you need to do so now.
The way I see it, the many good reasons to continue to support the union can be condensed to three:
1. Employment insurance
Most of us carry car insurance, life insurance, health insurance, and homeowners/renters insurance to help insolate our lives from unexpected loss. Even with insurance, I’m quite happy as the months go by that I don’t have to make a car or homeowners insurance claim – I don’t want to collect, I just want that peace of mind that comes with insurance.
I’m just as concerned about employment. As we transition from a collectively bargained discipline procedure to “Wisconsin Civil Service Code” I need to know that someone is in my corner if I need them. I’ve been a steward long enough to know that not all investigations are warranted and that all are innocent unless proven guilty (but not always treated that way).
My payment of dues is employment insurance. I know that the union will be there if I’m falsely accused of workplace misconduct. Under the civil service code it costs $700 to take an action to the commission – a fee that the union will pay for paying members in good standing. Union dues are my insurance that I won’t have to go it alone at some future point if falsely accused of workplace wrong doing.
2. The protection of what we have and the recovery of what we’ve lost isn’t going to happen by itself
As “dynamic status quo” fades into the sunset this October, so might go local agreements on overtime (in adjudication, in probation & parole, and in other units), vacation scheduling, flexible scheduling, and alternative work patterns. Who else but the union can fight for retaining these agreements? Individually, our voices are soft and easy to mute, collectively we can work together to keep what we have and regain what we’ve lost.
Without standardized agreements, one worker might get overtime approved for “X” amount of work, and another working might have to wait until “Y” amount of work in order to get overtime. In will come a system wrought with the potential for inconsistency and error. Your work life left to chance.
Whether the fight is in Madison, at the ballot box, or in the media – we need a strong united front to recover what’s been taken away from us and to protect what we still cling to. We ask for a fair and equitable workplace – and we need to be united and supportive so we can find those who will work with us to bring about that fair and equitable workplace.
3. Having a say
Make no mistake about it, we’ll get back what we’ve lost – we’ll protect what we still have and we’ll rise strong and united. And as the union goes through this process, paying members will be at the forefront of shaping this rebirth. Paying members will get to vote on leadership and policy. Paying members will be provided the inside scoops and all the latest news. Paying members will be on the front lines as the situation unfolds. Everyone else will be watching from the cheap seats.
Protect your job. Insure fair and equal treatment. Join the fight today!
Click Here to Join the Fight!
In Solidarity,
Bill Brockmiller
AFSCME 2748 Chapter 10 Chair
07-09, 09-11 PSS Bargaining Team
DWD Labor Management Team
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