Jesú wanted to make sure you were aware of our next union meeting. Here’s the info:
Sanctioned Union Meeting
The various topics will include the Contract survey, unit reports, officer reports, and ongoing member issues.
When: Thursday, February 9, 2:00p.m. to 4:30p.m.
Where: Room 1115
Refreshments will be provided
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Also mark your calendars for the following meetings:
March 22, 2-4:30pm, Room 1115
April 19, 2-4:30pm, Room 1115
May, Union Banquet, TBA
The Harold Lounge 
Let me know when you post the follow-up titled ‘Sanctioned Union Meeting Minutes’. ‘Kay?
I’ll make it easy on you, just drop ’em in as a reply to this post. ‘Kay?
Here is a thought! Go to the meeting!
I know, you have class at that time. Jesu has been very consistent about the actual times of those meetings. While the meetings might not always be on the same week, they are always on the same day and at the same time. You have chosen, once again, not to put the unions schedule’s time ahead of your own class schedule. Many of us hold to the idea that the 2-3:320 TR should be for meetings, department as well as college wide activities. You don’t. Then join the union’s Google group to get that information. Or read the newsletter placed in your mailbox by the union membership. When the union contract is decided and you bewail you lack of input…you are right. You neither made the time commitments or read the information freely shoved into your mailbox to have any voice in the negotiations. That is your fault. Not the fault of your elected representatives.
Any member of the union who does not take an active voice in meetings, contract negotiations or demonstrations is lucky when a new contract is settled, despite your lack of activity.
Whoa, that is assuming a lot about how flexible faculty members’ time can be. There are any number of reasons beyond mere carelessness or convenience why a faculty member is unable to make the designated union meeting.
“This is your fault. Not the fault of your elected representatives.” Was someone blaming the elected representatives? Did I miss something?
Realist?,
I’ve thought about the comment and here’s what I have to say:
1. Thanks for the reply. That’s what this here Lounge is for.
2. Perhaps I do attend the meetings and I’m speaking on behalf of our faculty members who teach at this time. Perhaps there are times that I am unable to attend and I’d like to know what gets said and done.
3. I set my schedule around the needs of our students. They outnumber the faculty, so they deserve our attention. If not for the students, I am unable to call myself a teacher.
4. I simply want the union to be more open and communicative about what was said at the meeting. Is it wrong to ask for feedback or reports from my union; the one that collects membership dues from me?
5. If you attended, then perhaps you can humble my reply with updates?
6. I believe we have strong union leadership. Nowhere in my reply did I state, or imply, otherwise. I was clear in my message: I’d like more communication.
7. I have yet to receive an email with updates or minutes in my mailbox.
8. Not to contradict your reply, but wouldn’t you call my initial reply and this reply an example of taking “an active voice”? in our union?
9. I am in full support of your final words and they bear repeating:
“Any member of the union who does not take an active voice in meetings, contract negotiations or demonstrations is lucky when a new contract is settled, despite your lack of activity.”
10. Thanks for reading. I think we have more in common than you realize.
Signed,
Stillwaitingforminutesfromthemeeting.