Vote Eduardo President?

Eduardo wants to be president. He is a real nice guy, very friendly. But on his flier, he said “United we stand,” but with whom? Based upon the color contrast of his fliers being posted all over Raytheon, I suspect Eduardo may like the Communist Party. Maybe you should go for one of the other candidates if you like the Union. Keep Eduardo for a beer drinking buddy instead. That way his activities with radical left wing organizations won’t tempt him to use union assets to forward his political agenda.
Here are a few comments to go along with his flier, just for Eduardo’s entertainment.
Your Union was declining in membership at RMS. What did you do to fix it? New growth is from organizing other sites. Raytheon remains about where it was three years ago.
You were in poor financial shape – couldn’t afford arbitration – couldn’t afford training, so you raised the dues by fifty percent! Thanks from the working class!
You were facing an aggressive union busting effort. You beat back the union busters & their attack on your union? What, with ghost busters t-shirts and rat buttons? Not exactly. We passed out petitions, we didn’t get enough signatures. Our efforts were not effective enough Eduardo, neither was yours.
You still claim you won the Lawsuit. I say you didn’t. The retirees did. Why don’t you to dispute my post from this blog dated Aug 25, 2008. Good luck on that.
Your accomplishment reads “With your help, we have successfully negotiated a contract”? How does that make you the best candidate for President of the Union?
You claim “We are ready for the next contract negotiations.” Really? Are you going to fix any of the things we complained about? Is ignoring the Ousties worth round two?
You say “We are ready for a strike should the company push us with take-a-ways.” No way! A Strike? Surely you know half your members would cross the first day if you dared. And what-if the Ousties organize a counter-strike? How effective will that make you? You should concern yourself with satisfying the Ousties biggest peeves. This union had a transformational experience last year. It not only has to deal with the company, but with other represented employees that are still angry with it. It affects the union’s potential for effective negotiations. There were a series of meetings early this year with a couple of the Ousties and some of the Union leadership. Your lack of regard for the union is demonstrated by your never going to these meetings. So I ask, why do you want the membership to vote for you Eduardo?

The Heart of Democracy

On November 2nd, Arizonans will have a chance to defend democracy from thieves who would steal it. Arizona decides if the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) really supports free choice. It doesn’t matter if you are pro-union or anti-union in this fight. The only thing that really matters is how you feel about protecting your freedom of choice without the possibility of coercion. Our nation’s fathers wisely figured that the secret ballot was the only way to assure the will of the people could be known. Your right to a secret ballot is a distinct American privilege. The EFCA tries to chip away at that right in the name of protecting workers. In fact, some of the ideas in the EFCA really are good, but there is no justification to give up your secret ballot.

The arguments have been brewing on both sides of this issue for years. The supporters of EFCA are out of step with the American Constitution. At the federal level, liberal actors are telling us that they need our vote to let unions have a fair chance at organizing the workers for the workers sake. They are pushing hard for the EFCA which would let union organizers pass out signature cards at a workplace that have the power with enough signatures, to instantly have a union recognized, without having an election. It sounds good for the workers, and they say if there are enough people who support starting a union, who needs a secret ballot? America does!!! This is just one more example of how we must be vigilant against the erosion of our rights. Why do they fight against a formality that guarantees your liberty?

When you examine the EFCA, the vast majority of the bill has merit. Article three says that following a union being certified, the union can make the company begin negotiations within ten days. Article four says it would make the NLRB come down on employers who discriminate against employees who try organize a union.
These are good ideas that every fair minded person could negotiate. But the poison pill in the bill, the idea that ruins the whole thing is article two. Article two would allow the recognition of a union as their collective bargaining agent if a majority of employees sign cards stating they want the union to represent them. That’s equivelent to “if enough people sign cards, we the people can impeach Obama.” It may sound good, but that’s not how America is supposed to work. Ben Franklin said something that resembles “Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither.”

The Arizona legislature has given you a chance to protect your rights from the liberals on capitol hill, and to put the power back in the hands of the people. Make old Ben proud, and vote YES on Arizona Proposition 113 this November 2nd.

Look in the Mirror

Message to self: Take a break and watch what happens. Oustie@TR hasn't gotten his meeting he talked about, John has practically disappeared, and there is a bunch of bickering on here like always. Racism, Communism, and Obamaism are all thrown around here like that is going to fix anything. Oustie@TR, you said we were going to have talks with the Union...what happend? If my memory serves me right, last time you met them was sometime in March? Its August already, if you havent noticed. You, Willie, and the Union Guys have had all summer. What are you waiting for? The return of Cesar Chavez holding John D Rockafeller's hand in the clouds?

Union guys, if you want the problem with the Ousties to get fixed, then I suggest you get dealing with those Ousties that went to dine with you. You had agreed that their ideas could help. The Ousties have mentioned a plan but are held up for something. Help 'em out. Months ago I read comments on this blog regarding talks with the union, saying "dont do it, they want to stall you." Lets see some good faith effort to get things moving again. Look in the mirror. Are you doing everything you can for all the workers?

IAMAW Political Contributions

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers boasts more than 730,000 workers across the country, including employees in the airline, shipbuilding and railroad industries. In addition to labor laws, the union’s biggest legislative issues include pension reform, trade and the proposed privatization of Social Security.

Cycle	Total	Democrats	Republicans	% to Dems	% to Repubs	Individuals	PACs	Soft (Indivs)	Soft (Orgs)
2010	$1,368,800	$1,349,800	$19,000	99%	1%	$0	$1,368,800	$0	$0
2008	$2,542,733	$2,472,092	$65,641	97%	3%	$2,891	$2,539,842	$0	$0
2006	$2,089,760	$2,054,260	$15,500	98%	1%	$3,251	$2,086,509	$0	$0
2004	$2,242,161	$2,217,161	$15,000	99%	1%	$42,011	$2,200,150	$0	$0
2002	$3,079,150	$3,047,150	$20,000	99%	1%	$1,000	$2,478,150	$0	$600,000
2000	$3,159,988	$3,135,988	$14,000	99%	0%	$3,350	$2,545,638	$0	$611,000
1998	$2,173,164	$2,147,664	$20,500	99%	1%	$1,214	$1,871,200	$0	$300,750
1996	$2,595,119	$2,577,369	$7,750	99%	0%	$2,794	$2,306,025	$0	$286,300
1994	$2,104,731	$2,083,731	$11,000	99%	1%	$1,700	$1,952,231	$0	$150,800
1992	$2,157,176	$2,097,851	$23,825	97%	1%	$1,350	$1,990,171	$0	$165,655
1990	$1,890,495	$1,858,400	$27,095	98%	1%	$400	$1,890,095	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	$25,403,277	$25,041,466	$239,311	99%	1%	$59,961	$23,228,811	$0	$2,114,505

http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000078

So far this political season the IAMAW is still contributing 99% to Democrats. I'm so glad they think Grijalva, Obama and Pelosi are doing such a fine job of turning this country into 1950's style Russia. Over $1.3 million this year to make certain that America goes down the drain even faster. And hey let's leave those borders open a little longer, after all those are future union dues payers and Democratic votes!

Where's the Beef?

Today is May Day, the Day of the Worker. Today was hijacked one hundred twenty one years ago by Socialists. May Day was designated an international labor day by the International Socialist Congress of 1889. It was stolen from the common people as traditional springtime celebration, and turned into a day to force a social agenda onto an unwilling populace. It originated in pre-Christian agricultural rituals. Celebrations included a May king and queen, a Maypole, and people carrying trees, green branches, or garlands. It became a major holiday in the Soviet Union and other communist countries; it was the occasion for important political demonstrations.
And so it is today. As Mr. Quintana is carrying Anti-Immigration Law signs at Armory Park, the rest of us are wondering what happened to that merry little band of Ousties that was having those meetings with the Union leaders? I have stood silent while Dougie and the rest of them went to meetings, encouraged by the fact that the Union Leadership seemed to agree with them on almost every issue they brought to the table. But it’s been a while since I heard anything. Dougie asked us to calm down and give them a chance to work out some details. So far, I’ve heard that the Union brought forth one copy of a memo that was helpful to the cause. But the rest have been forgotten. So I would like to ask;
where’s the beef?

Man Up

There are a lot of people who talk big in the comments and are quick to poke fun at John. He's a really good guy, the kind I'd like to have my back. He's having the trials of Job right now, but I believe that Jesus will pick him up when he comes to the end of himself. And G-d will restore to him everything that the locusts have taken from him (whether he deserved it or not). Remember: the grace of G-d isn't grace if you earn it.

Have you done ANYTHING in support of the decertification or in support of the union in the last 3 years? Were you so boisterous as to wear an anti union button or collect signatures for the petition? Unless you've done something you have no right to whine. Grow a pair already. Did you take the first step to be hated by nearly everyone at Raytheon by circulating a decertification petition? Did you man up by standing on the picket lines with your enemy? What single significant thing have you done your entire life, besides raise a beer in the air in support of some pathetic football team that can't even make it to a bowl game?

The problem with the union isn't so much with the leadership as it is with the workers who won't take a stand either for the union or against it. They won't even bother to sign the petition after we did all the work to get the petition to them. They wouldn't even download it and mail it in anonymously. But these same slackers believe SO much that the union is necessary that they won't even join the union either. Give me a break. Learn this lesson from Jesus who said, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."

The union leadership sits across the table from people who daily exercise their skills at "influencing" people. They hire, fire, and sell millions of dollars of product to people who are really big wheelers and dealers. They take classes continually to hone their skills. These big shots were hired because they were at the top of their peers in negotiating capability. What chance do you think that these union leaders or YOU for that matter have to get anything of substance from the negotiations. I for one have a healthier respect for their dilemma. Why don't you go try out your far superior skills tomorrow. Go down to the bank that holds your mortgage and convince them to drop your rate 2%. Let us know how that goes.

What are you going to bring to the table? Imagine you are on the negotiating committee next go 'round and you spend 3 months putting together some excellent data to back up pay increases for the professional employees. Mr. Big takes one look at it says 'that's interesting" passes it back to you then starts out with "we need to cut medical benefits by 20%". Unless you prepare for every conceivable roadblock you won't have a viable comeback, and then it probably still won't matter.

These union dudes aren't that slick. Their skills top out at assembling hardware. I'm not knocking them. They probably do what they do better than I can, but they don't have negotiating skills. They probably buy the first car some guy shows them on the lot. Even I've done that before. I've gotten a little smarter over the years, but not much.

Right now apathy is at such an all time low in America, no one wants to get involved in anything they just want to sit around and whine. Nothing fires them up. Even when innocent babies are killed by abortion, even when Obama stacks his cabinet with Socialists, even when the Federal Reserve has deliberated stolen Trillions of dollars of your wealth and mine, people sit around turn on the tube and veg out. They won't get involved in anything. They quote either from the left or from the right whatever the latest talking head has said on their favorite news channel. They haven't even figured out that the Republicans and the Democrats work for the same off shore bankers and those bankers can pay big bucks to sell you or I on the next big war or the global warming scam or any other scheme that they can get you worked up over that will make them money and keep you preoccupied with things that won't save a singe soul from hell.

So excuse the Decertification Committee for seeming to sell out. We gave it our best shot for the past two negotiations. You all OBVIOUSLY love this union. So excuse us for trying to work with the union to make things better. Maybe they will blow smoke up our booties tomorrow and waste our time. I however choose not to whine. I choose to fight to make things better for me and my fellow professional workers.

I choose to stand for SOMETHING! G-d calls us all to create justice and make this world a better place. He made us all stewards of this world, and it is in such a mess because no one takes the time to look around and realize that their apathy has caused all the suffering and destruction around them.

"The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich." Proverbs 13:4

Who's got your six?

While the spirit of cooperation is tested by time, we watch and wonder. Is there only one Steward?
Two weeks ago, a couple of Ousties went to the TTT and had a good breakfast and an inspiring talk with Union Leadership. Word is that they walked out of there on pretty good terms, and they had agreed to have another meeting sometime in February. We wait for word when and where that meeting will be. This step points toward fixing the biggest problem that non union workers have with the Union responsible for their representation. But meanwhile we have watched a drama unfold before our eyes while reading the comments here, regarding the one steward who started it all. Has anyone noticed the peculiar absence of other stewards input? Where is the support?
The Ousties by a large margin do not present a unified voice over the questions that face them now, and many different voices have dished out their dissatisfaction to the conversation developing on this blog. Different views are posted here from a group that say they stand against the Union. Some are willing to cooperate with the Union for a chance at improvement. Others state that this viewpoint is naïve. They fire off volleys at the one steward who has come here to represent his side of the discussion. While that steward is obviously under duress, who has come to his aid? Is there another steward who will step up to the plate and take up his cause while this brother steward fights the demons that plague him?
With an obviously inferior number of Ousties, a number of them come here to voice their views, and add to the dialogue. Will the rest of the stewards stand by and watch this drama unfold without lifting a hand? The workers are watching. Are there stewards willing to take up the flag that John carried to champion reform at the Union, while fighting us for its very existence. Who is willing to help him fight for the changes that he sees are needed? Who’s got his six?

Level Adjustment Breakfast

Feeling short changed? Think your classification deserves a raise? Then go stake your claim at breakfast! Order a hot sizzling breakfast and bring your notes.
John the Steward proposes a breakfast at the TTT Truckstop to get this rolling. He wants to propose a “level adjustment” for classifications that can justify their claim. John the Steward is organizing. An Oustie or two will go, and maybe some union officers. Who else should go? Workers who can prove their classification is not fairly represented. What should you bring? Bring Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data to support your claim. Look up your stats on the web! If you think your job is under paid, then bring the info to support your claim. Maybe bring a laptop. Or printed files with addresses where to find the info. This idea is the brainchild of John the Steward. Machinists, Tool & Die Makers, Metrologists, Testers, and many others should consider coming. Put up or shut up.
What not to bring. Check attitudes at the door. If you have a chip on your shoulder, then its best you stay away. Although the Union and the Ousties were at odds before, this group is over it, and wish to resolve this because it is mutually beneficial, as John put it. This is the first of a series intended to repair the biggest problem within RMS Labor, pay. Are you willing to support your classification for a level adjustment? Bring it on!