"Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead," said Scrooge. But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!" - A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
It's a nice comparison to what happened here. While summer broke into fall, I found the events that unfolded on both sides of the dividing line were quite unpredictable to me, and most, if not all of the Ousties.
After our campaign was over, some things transpired that were unexpected. A Union Steward invited an Oustie out on the Rally Line before the contract was up. Since then, I've read that some positive conversations are happening between the Oustie and the Union steward. I haven't been able to see this for myself because he works in another building, but the way he's been writing lately is encouraging. The rest of you stewards can learn a thing or three from this guy. The blog entries have changed. The new argument has peaceful rational. This sets up the blog for a good debate between free individualists who ultimately control their destiny, and those who want everyone to pull together for a collective good deal. Those well schooled minds can play here to argue, and since we have "John the Steward" as one of the main bloggers, the readership has spiked! To the others; learn from him. Cooperation is in vogue.
One of the things “Steward” writes about is the different types of workers we have. He speaks of varying degrees of union membership, or non membership, ending in traitor. Talented activism is a gift that can achieve big goals for those people willing to sacrifice their personal quiet time to struggle for whatever cause they support in this free society. However, no meritorious cause, no public benefit, nor victory in a negotiating room is worth giving up your right to choose. Your sacrifice is yours alone. You can’t force your values upon those who do not share them, regardless of the benefits you think you showered them with as a result of self denial. For the haters, I pity you. The benevolence you show strangers contrasted against the contempt you show your coworkers means your charity is null. I whisper to the Lord that people like you could use a dreamy night like Ebenezer’s to show you a better way. I offer a candle.
Now that the Contract is negotiated, and the Union Elections are over, we have a pretty good view of the coming three years. There was a turn-over of a Negotiating Committee spot to a gifted master craftsman from 811, and if John predicts right, there will be a 2nd slot open soon. Jimbo explained a process to John in order to fix the pay disparity issue. I don't care what they call it (level adjustment), if after all is done, the workers with the talent are compensated fairly. In the past I've known this could be done, but doubted it based upon history. With the surprising chain of events over the past two months, I am not sure anything can't be done anymore. The steward asked the Oustie if he could borrow some talent from the Ousties for a project that will benefit both sides. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change.” For the better.
May you all have a Merry Christmas this year.
