Change we need!

The Change We Need!

The union leadership has a few things to be concerned about:

From what we have been told (by several individuals), they (Union Members) have been specifically discouraged from participating in on-line discussion on this blog. Know why? Remember the discussions from the Arizona Star-Net Blog two years ago? That’s one of the many reasons why.

Some members & non-members believe the discussion during the strike contributed to the decline of the organization.

.

The free speech on "those bad, mean anti-union web pages", apparently has led to internal strife within the confines of the local union. With seeds of doubt planted by this and other contra-union web sites, many of us believe the petition drive will become much more fruitful when the time comes.

Brave union supporters who have posted here with pro-union bias are repeating the same old, tired “stories” we’ve all heard for years. We encourage more union supporters to give us their side of the story. Unique inside the union perspective is requested! We wish to air all the issues concerning the collective, so we as a group know the facts before signing the petition.

.

Now that an opposition viewpoint is focusing on the fallacies of those long time anecdotes, a growing majority of the bargaining unit wishes to remove the bargaining unit in exchange for a merit system that rewards productivity and creativity. Poor performers, the union leadership, and their die-hard members are nervous. If we vote them out, they’ll get no federal bailout! So lets argue the issues here & now. Lets debate here. Lets ask all the important questions, and answer them to the satisfaction of the 1700 + workers in the bargaining unit. Ask all workers to come and read, submit questions, and challenge the status quo.

.

We expect a large rebellion once the decertification process begins. A percentage of the unionists will try to blame the anti-union supporters, who are exercising their rights as American workers. They are willing to do whatever it takes to stop the momentum of this campaign. Management is keenly aware of the identity of these individuals. After all, they are so proud of their union; their shirts, buttons, pins, stickers and other trinkets are their “badges of honor”. In reality, they are already blaming anti-unionists for the “lost contract of 2009.” When will they begin to take responsibility?

.

Finally, you’ll recall that the just-concluded election process, President-elect Obama’s political slogan was The Change We Need. That change needs to also happen here in the bargaining unit of Raytheon Missile Systems. Mean what you say; say what you mean. Vote for a change that’s closer to home, a change that will make a real difference in your life! Keep reading these and affiliated web sites to find out how and when this will happen. Oust 933!

Remembering the 2006 Holiday Season

Tonight I decided to post a couple of messages from the strike days to give a contrast to the workers at RMS. Time has passed, and maybe a bit of wisdom will prevail over the old emotions displayed by the mobs. Please take this opportunity to read the picture posted here. (click!) Contrast that with the text message I posted below. Put on your thinking cap. Analyze these two views. Do you still agree with the side you chose back then. Did you come out on the right side of this conversation? Why or why not?

Union supporters: Why did the union do the right thing?

Former union members: Tell us why they did wrong!

Non Committed workers: Why are you undecided?

All: make your comments here!

Copied message from AZ Starnet posted by the Neg. Cmte. below:

-------------------------------------------------------

220. Comment by Elisabeth D. (#3500) — January 2,2007 @ 6:17PM

Rating: 2 Thumbs Up

I read that letter too. Here's the whole text:

Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters,

We hope all of you are safe and enjoyed the holidays as best as the situation permits. It is now time to get back to business and continue with the struggle. I am sure that the salary folks had an enjoyable time, or at least the ones that didn’t have to work. As for the scabs, Ebenezer is too kind for them.

As we have now completed 8 full weeks and are starting our ninth week of this strike, it would make me wonder why some folks would consider crossing now. We have gone this far and it just wouldn't make sense to give up so close to the finish line. Do we know when that will absolutely be, no we don't. However, we can't imagine that it would be that far away as we have passed the hardest time of the year financially and we believe the company has done what they set out to do, and that is to punish us for going on strike. They have forced us to stay out through the holidays, but I truly believe that most did not suffer the way the company had hoped. Most of our people were working at other jobs and there was much financial aide for those in need. The toy drive was terrific and I have heard many folks say this was the best Christmas ever.

For those of you that may be thinking about crossing, keep some things in mind before you make your decision. All the friends you have met over the years will no longer be there, all the brothers and sisters you met and worked with on the picket lines or some other duty will no longer be there, the fight that you have fought over the last eight weeks will be all for not and you would have wasted all that time standing tall only to let yourself down in the end. This Union and it's leaders have not grown weak and have no quit in us. Although we may tire from taking care of all the business that striking requires, we will not walk away from our fighting brothers and sisters. If you do cross that line this week or anytime before the true end, you have given the company the strength to continue this battle even longer and that could be disastrous for us all. They are hoping that many will cross this week and we must continue to deny them the edge.

If you are one of those who got another job while on strike and found out that life is not all that great outside your Raytheon job, you now have a better understanding of why we are on strike to begin with. We do have good jobs at that company, but the more we let them take things away from us like retiree medical, a pension plan for future employees, the right to bargain for benefits and the costs associated with them and the continued assault on our working conditions, the more our once good job becomes one that we encounter while on strike. We stand tall to protect our good jobs not only for us but for our children and others who may walk through those doors some day. We must not sit quietly and let them take anymore.

Brothers and Sisters, we want you to know that we are very aware of this whole situation and are watching it very closely. This leadership will not sit back and wait until it is too late. If there is any chance that this membership would seriously be in jeopardy, we would do what is necessary to protect you all that have stayed to the end. We will not let this company ruin the working lives of so many good people. Rest assured, you will not be left out in the cold. We will get you back to work at your good job. At what expense will that be shall be determined by the strength that you continue to show. If our position is weakened by those who cross, we will be begging for our contract. If we continue our strength, we will bargain on our terms and it will be much easier to protect that good job once again.

Stay strong brothers and sisters. It may be a new year, but the same old struggle continues as long as we are dealing with a company that doesn't give a damn about your interests or well being. We will persevere.

Your Negotiating Committee

-------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting note, huh? Stay Strong Brothers and Sisters. The same old struggle is going to restart next year. Are you prepared to go another round of losses with the union? Or are you going to wise up to this game and finally call their bluff?

Sign the petition found on http://www.iam933.net/ . Help pass it around.

Dump 933!

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Happy 2nd anniversary of the 11 week failed strike at RMS. By now everyone has gotten their Benefits packages done, and are aware of the medical costs that have been passed on to the worker by the union. No Pass-through?! Oh Puhleeeeze! Brothers and sisters, there is plenty!

Here are a few lines copied from a union flyer dated 3 November of 2006. "You wanted above average GWIs and we could only get 3% a year"...."There is pass through, there is red circling, there are high medical costs, there is pass through on Rx, there are average GWI's which don't amount to much due to the medical contributions, and a host of other things that will deteriorate your income everyday."

Remember how horrid the Company was when you read that flier? Remember the speech given during the 2nd week of January telling you that you had good jobs waiting for you at RMS, and you should approve the contract and return to work? It wasn't a different contract, was it? Well, yes it was. It actually was a less union friendly contract you signed and approved than the one you rejected in a frenzy at the TCC that Sunday night of the 5th of November. Look at the rhetoric your union gave you that fatefull night in Tucson. Look at your benefits package now. Look at the past contract concerning touch labor, and look at this one. Dont you feel duped, still?

Everything you lost, you may place the blame squarely on the union leaders who "fought for you". Now is the time to think clearly about what direction you wish to go within the Company. We ask you to give Raytheon a try as a union free workshop. If after a year this Company can't find a way to satisfy you and your trust in RMS is broken by ruthless managers, then we can always call the union back under NLRB rules.

You are doomed to repeat your mistakes if you don't learn your lesson the first time around. Click on the picture of the flyer to get a closer look at the text. It's a copy of the flyer that was posted around Raytheon last year at this time. Happy Anniversary, Enjoy!