Home arrow Forums arrow Your Union arrow UFCW-OSM final working draft

UFCW-OSM final working draft

page: 1, 2  next
Display posts from previous:
Author Message
rogead
Post Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:04 pm

Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Posts: 412
Here is a draft of the UFCW-OSM posted earlier.
For those who haven't participated, we've been trying to come up with an "open source manifesto" (OSM) of UFCW member rights. This working draft contains many ideas--all of them open to discussion and amendment. It represents the views of many different contributors.

I'll post seperately to address some of my concerns with specific items. For anyone wishing to comment, please make reference to number and letter of the statement in question {ex. 7)b. }.





Given that the true spirit and power of the labor movement rests with the rank and file workers, and that the leadership of the UFCW International and several of its local affiliates have abandoned those workers for the concessionary and corrupt model of business unionism; it’s time for UFCW members to lay claim to the rights that are inherently derived from the fruits of our labor. To that end, we propose a manifesto of UFCW member rights. These rights apply to all UFCW members, regardless of geographic location, local affiliation, or occupation.



1) Bargaining

a. It is the right of every member to actively participate in the negotiation of any collective bargaining agreement under which their employment is covered.

b. At least seventy-five percent of the members of any bargaining committee will consist of rank and file members who are duly elected by all members to whom a given contract will apply.

c. There will be no “executive sessions” in which negotiations occur without the participation of the entire bargaining committee.

d. Every member covered under a collective barganing agreement will have access to the entire contract prior to a ratification vote.

e. Each member will receive a complete printed copy of the contract within sixty days of ratification.


f. All wage and benefit provisions pertaining to a given bargaining unit will be negotiated based only upon job function. There will be no “tiered” contracts in which employees performing the same job functions receive differing levels of compensation.



2) Staff and Officer Compensation


a. Salaries and other compensation of officers and staff members will be determined by a committee consisting entirely of rank and file members duly elected by the entire membership.

b. Under no circumstances shall an officer or staff member receive an increase in salary or compensation which exceeds in percentage the average increase obtained for rank and file members over the previous twelve months.

c. In the event of a member-sanctioned work stoppage, officers and staff will be expected to absorb a reduction in salary and benefits as deemed appropriate by the aforementioned rank and file committee.



3) Finances


a. All of the union’s financial information and documents will be readily available to every member. This includes any actions which involve the disbursement of funds collected in the form of union dues or derived from union dues.


b. A petition containing at least five percent of the signatures of the entire membership will be deemed sufficient to initiate an independent audit of union finances.
c.
d. All trustees shall be elected by the rank and file membership. Officers and staff of the local will not be eligible to become trustees.



4) Constitution and Bylaws


a. All members will be entitled to a printed copy of the International’s constitution and of all governing International and local bylaws.


b. All members will be entitled to assistance in determining the appropriate steps necessary to offer changes to the constitution or to the bylaws.
c. Any changes in the bylaws will be enacted based upon the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the members voting.


5) Elected Office


a. All dues-paying members will be allowed to freely run for any elected position within the union based solely upon their receipt of a nomination by another member.

b. Elections will take place every two years with no more than two consecutive terms served by any individual within a given office.

c. All individuals serving as business agents within the local will be elected by the membership.




d. Any member running against an incumbent will be provided with the same access to union facilities, publications, and membership lists as is the incumbent.


e. Salaried members will not constitute more than twenty-five percent of the membership of the local executive board.


f. All officers, executives, and stewards will be subject to recall by, petition, based upon the signatures of twenty-five percent of the affected membership.








6) Member Voting


a. All dealings involving a vote of the membership, other than contract or strike votes, will require a notice published and posted in all affected workplaces no later than sixty days prior to the scheduled vote.


b. All voting actions will be overseen by a committee of duly elected members whose responsibilities will include devising voting procedures that will insure the opportunity for the democratic involvement of the entire rank and file membership.



7) Mergers



a. Mergers of two or more locals will not occur within the twelve months prior to a scheduled election within any of the involved locals.


b. In the event of a merger, the newly formed local will schedule an election for all offices, which will fall within sixty days of the newly- formed local’s charter.

c. The interim officers of the newly- formed local will be determined by a duly elected committee drawn from the membership of all locals involved in the merger.




Cool Stewards


a. All shop stewards will be elected by those members within the shop which will be represented by that steward.



b. A separate election will take place for any position designated as a “chief” steward.

c. One steward will be in place for every fifty or portion thereof of the rank and file membership within a given workplace.


d. All stewards will be subject to a recall upon a petition containing at least fifty-one percent of the signatures of the affected members.


e. All stewards will receive regular updates on all union affairs


f. All stewards will receive extensive training and education in all aspects of union affairs.


g. No one who functions as a manager in a given facility will be allowed to run for election as a steward.


h. At least one steward will be available in the workplace at all times while members are present and working.






9) Membership Meetings

a. General membership meetings will be structured so as to allow any member to be given the floor via the appropriate rules of order.

b. Union stewards will be expected to attend all general membership meetings.

c. Special sector –specific membership meetings will be regularly held at a central location.

d. The sector-specific meetings will be chaired by a steward, with the assistance of one of the local’s officers.

e. Teleconferencing facilities will be set up for the general membership meetings in order to accommodate members who are further than fifty miles from the location of the general membership meeting.


10) Disputes and Arbitration


a. A committee of stewards, elected by the entire membership, will participate in any of the local’s ongoing disputes—irrespective of industry.



b. Under no circumstances will any arbitration, mediation, grievance hearing, or other meeting designed to resolve a dispute take place on premises which are owned, operated, or controlled by the employer.



11) Member Education



a. Each local will create a member education center which will be available to all interested members. The center will provide educational instruction on local and international processes, labor studies, and general educational studies.


12) Ethical Practices



a. A rank and file committee will institute an ethical practices code. No officer, staff member, or steward will be allowed to serve on this committee.


b. No family member of any officer will be allowed to serve in a paid position with the local.




.
Back to top profile :: pm :: www
CUPE_Reformer
Post Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:57 am

Joined: 04 Feb 2006
Posts: 241
Location: Real Solidarity 		rogead:

3) b. Independent audits of union finances shall be mandatory.

3) d. Executive board members and staff of the local shall not be eligible to become trustees.

5) b. No member shall hold more than one union office simultaneously.

5) f. keep.

8) d. delete.

_________________
Real Solidarity

Last edited by CUPE_Reformer on Sat Jun 24, 2006 3:24 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top profile :: pm :: www
rogead
Post Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 3:00 am

Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Posts: 412
CUPE_Reformer,

3)b----good idea! I think we could even strengthen it by mandating independent audits and allowing for language to petition for a secondary independent audit.

3)d---- the language already states: “Officers and staff of the local will not be eligible to become trustees.”. “Officers” would be inclusive of all e-board members, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to simply add “executive board members” to the list of prohibited trustees.

5)b---excellent addition, as long as you mean no more than one office simultaneously.

5)f and 8.)d---there is some mutually exclusive language between these two items. I do think it’s a good idea to make provisions for a recall of all elected positions—from shop stewards to president.

However, I do have serious concerns about a threshold of twenty-five percent since it is by definition an anti-democratic portion. For example, you and I run for the presidency. You kick my ass with a seventy to thirty win. I need only to marshal a portion of my supporters (who already represent a minority)in order to recall you –in spite of your overwhelming support within the membership. Recall actions could be used to paralyze democratic function under these terms.


Some of my issues:

5)b---I have concerns with term limits in general. I understand why many support them, but 5)b does technically conflict with 5)a . 5)b would also interfere with a member’s right to vote for the candidate of their choice since it would make some members ineligable to run for office.

4)c----there was some discussion about the percentage threshold for a bylaws change. I’m not sure where I stand on the matter, but we need to decide if we want a simple majority standard (fifty percent + one of those participating) or an absolute majority or other supermajority standard (i.e. fifty percent + one of those eligible to participate). It is a massive difference, both in numbers and in potential impact. Either one has a downside in regards to democratic rule.


Anyone else with any opinions?
Back to top profile :: pm :: www
SharynS
Post Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 3:16 am

Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 2939
Location: the 'puter
Quote:
3)b----good idea! I think we could even strengthen it by mandating independent audits and allowing for language to petition for a secondary independent audit
Just a quick thought - I think "independant" should be clearly defined - independant of the organization and independant of a specific local are two different things.

I think as it stands now, the rules recognize a parent body as an "independant" - hardly reassuring in an audit of local union affairs.

{ I'm going to combine the OSM threads if there's no objections. I think it might be helpful if the entire process unfolds in a single thread. And then perhaps a dedicated thread once it's finalized? }

_________________
Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie
Back to top profile :: pm :: e-mail :: www
CUPE_Reformer
Post Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 4:41 am

Joined: 04 Feb 2006
Posts: 241
Location: Real Solidarity 		rogead:

Term limits create significantly more opportunities for members to gain the experience of holding union offices. Usually only the candidates who have had the experience of holding union offices are elected.

_________________
Real Solidarity

Last edited by CUPE_Reformer on Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:21 pm; edited 4 times in total
Back to top profile :: pm :: www
rogead
Post Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:11 am

Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Posts: 412
Quote:
Burdensome recall and bylaw amendment requirements are meaningless.


CUPE_Reform,

This is a totally cryptic statement to me--please elaborate. Confused Confused
Back to top profile :: pm :: www
CUPE_Reformer
Post Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 4:50 pm

Joined: 04 Feb 2006
Posts: 241
Location: Real Solidarity 		rogead:

Difficult to use bylaws like 8) d. (fifty-one percent) are rarely used.

_________________
Real Solidarity
Back to top profile :: pm :: www
ross53
Post Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:58 pm

Joined: 24 May 2006
Posts: 1435
Location: california 		Hello I'm "BACK"

I like your OMS what can I do to help

Please let me know by the way the UFCW Local 135 official made a "Threat" to me
if I don't stop they will make my life a "OPEN BOOK"

I SAIDC "bring it on showtime"

read more about on www.rossandtheunionboss.com

Ciao from San Diego,
Ross53
Back to top profile :: pm :: www
Laboryes
Post Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:26 pm

Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 1967
Siggy & Rogead

You will love this story! At my store the top Albertsons honchos and the Cerberus big shots will be doing a walk thru tomorrow.

Of coarse the store management is in a panic! All of a sudden we have tons of labor to make the store look pretty for the big boys! Gee maybe we ought to try that for the customers ya think?

Anyway management went through the breakroom and took down all the leaflets,uncharted articles,groceryworker.org articles,uncharted.ca stickers,republican slamming cartoons,union meeting notices,and Loveall slamming atricles that were posted and laying around!

When the dust settled guess what was left hanging on the bulletin board?

Yes it was the UFCW-OSM final draft!

You got to love it! It is so professional looking not even management would remove it! Laughing

Nice Job! you guys(gals) Chalk up another one for the dissents!

_________________
"When people refuse to obey, then democracy comes alive."
Howard Zinn
Back to top profile :: pm
SharynS
Post Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:36 pm

Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 2939
Location: the 'puter 		That just proves the bastards can't read, they operate largely by smell.
Quote:
Anyway management went through the breakroom and took down all the leaflets
Which board were the articles pinned to? Corpheads removing information from either a union board or the general communications board is simply not their place.

_________________
Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie
Back to top profile :: pm :: e-mail :: www
loonietunes
Post Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:49 pm

Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 1210
Laboryes wrote:


Anyway management went through the breakroom and took down all the leaflets,uncharted articles,groceryworker.org articles,uncharted.ca stickers,republican slamming cartoons,union meeting notices,and Loveall slamming atricles that were posted and laying around!



LY--

Kinda reminds me of the Old "Trick Loveall and Hartwell became famous for.

Every time there has been a contested union officer election in either the old Local 588 or Local 1036--the leaflets and hand-bills from the challenger--were torn down just as soon as they were put up.

Really-

-these wise guys have been the grand masters of this kinda shit but "Hartwell" was the grand daddy of them all-Icaza isn't even in the same league as this wise guy.

-a poor "rank and file" -- challenger's leaflets would come down before they were fully up.

Yes Sir--the "Albert Pike" Devotees are especially strong in some parts of Local 1036,

LT
Back to top profile :: pm
Pearson
Post Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:59 pm

Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 1417
Location: Sun City AZ 		Sorry Lt, but who the hell is Albert Pike?

_________________
If we don't do it, who will?
Back to top profile :: pm :: e-mail
Laboryes
Post Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:07 pm

Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 1967
Quote:
Which board were the articles pinned to? Corpheads removing information from either a union board or the general communications board is simply not their place


Only one union board up in the 588 area that I know about and that one was fought for by yours truly about 12 to 15 years ago! From what I hear it's still there.

I'm no longer at that store and as far as union boards that is something that the Loveall's just won't challenge their golf buddies over!

I know that management can't take down union material in non work areas but no one at my store would stand with me on this fight........so now I'm stuck with do I file a complaint with the NLRB or do I let it go?

_________________
"When people refuse to obey, then democracy comes alive."
Howard Zinn
Back to top profile :: pm
SharynS
Post Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:22 pm

Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 2939
Location: the 'puter
Quote:
so now I'm stuck with do I file a complaint with the NLRB or do I let it go?
I keep mulitple copies of important information in my unlocked locker for just such an occasion - what comes down must go up.

_________________
Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie
Back to top profile :: pm :: e-mail :: www
loonietunes
Post Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:44 pm

Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 1210
Pearson wrote:
Sorry Lt, but who the hell is Albert Pike?


Sorry--BP

I just assumed everyone had heard of "Albert Pike"--

pretty famous--character-

-his book----

"Morals and Dogma" is considered sacred--
to thousands of influentual folks--

Do a quick google search--there is a ton of stuff on him--

LT
Back to top profile :: pm
Home arrow Forums arrow Your Union arrow UFCW-OSM final working draft
Page 1 of 2
page: 1, 2  next
Display posts from previous:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group