The most important thing to know about your union is that YOU are the union. A union is only as strong, effective and powerful as the members who participate in its operation and activities.
Our union supposed to be a democratic organization where the membership has ultimate control over every decision of our union and its priorities. However in reality, our local union is far from being democratic. The truth is:
- We are being kept in the dark,
- We are not allowed to fully participate in our union affairs,
- We are not allowed to elect Delegates to AFSCME Conventions,
- We are not allowed to know how our money is spent,
- We are not allowed to elect Trustees (union members whose job is to audit the financial affairs of our Union). In the past 16 years we had only 1 (one) instead of 16 (sixteen) Trustee Elections, and currently have only 1 trustee instead of 3.
- We are not allowed to know what proposals and/or deals are being made by our leadership on our behalf. Instead of all pertinent information we get tiny shreds of info thrown to us here and there to make it look like our president is acting in our best interests.
As a result:
- Our working conditions are deteriorating,
- Our benefits are disappearing,
- Health Insurance Costs are sky-high and continue to rise,
- And our Pay raises are eaten up by the increases in Health Insurance and other costs.
To improve our working conditions, pay, and benefits we have to re-claim our Rights and to establish democracy within our union. The fight has already started !
Take action ! Start by learning about your Rights, and by reading our Local 2026 Constitution. Be involved, and participate in all Union Elections.