Working for a union once meant job security, wage increases when warranted,
safety, amazing benefits, and union representation if anyone felt they were
being treated unfairly by upper management or staff. As a union worker myself for over twenty
years I have witnessed so many changes throughout the years that can make
Albert Einstein roll over in his grave. The union is no longer running under
individuals with a back bone and our union heads have disappointed us in so
many levels these past few years that understandably many have given up.
When I first began as a union employee I was both thrilled
and very excited to be part of an
organization with such high regards, integrity and political involvement, but
now I see how quickly that can all change.
All it takes to see a union crumble is a shift of Management and a new
Fund Manager with a past in law to corrupt the masses, change things internally
and force individuals out because they know full well how these changes will
soon come to haunt us.
Union workers are doing the job, the organization is
growing and the work load keeps growing
as more duties and responsibilities are being assigned with no monetary
compensation or overtime. It is also totally
disturbing to want to move up within your organization, but have all these
obstacles like job posting timing, HR and management interference; and testing
that will be very difficult for many within to pass because they intentionally
make it hard to get a passing grade, or already have someone in mind for the
position they can probably pay less than a Union member for. Union jobs are slowly diminishing, and new
job classifications are being put in their places simply because those who were
in charge of our Union were too afraid to stand their ground. Changes are expected at every working
environment, but when your Union doesn't fight for their members jobs and let
management dictate their every move there is certainly a problem.
Within the past few years we have been through a lot. There is no longer any respect within and member moral is at an all time low.
One can pass blame and continue to point
fingers but we all have a voice, the
power to take back our Union, and should not be afraid to do so. As unified members we can make it
stronger. We must all act now, and stop
letting the fear of losing our jobs keep us silent. The more we continue to be manipulated by
management, the more they will continue to adjust our job descriptions, call it necessary due
to your title and department restructuring and get away with not paying you for
the extra work and or overtime that may go on your time sheet as
"unapproved. "
Remember, we are the front runners of this organization. The
members, providers and employers talk to us to get the benefits rolling and their medical
bills paid. Most of management cannot
perform our duties. Stop being afraid to
stand up for your job, if we once again find the nerve and earn back the trust
to be united, our membership, Brothers
and Sisters can make this Union strong
again. I have total faith that we
can. There are many among us who feel
the same but again nothing can be accomplished without UNITY. We had it once, we can have it again.
It's going to be challenging, stressful and maybe even
frustrating as we transform this Union to what it can be, but that first step
is binding together. Trusting our
strength and ensuring we have the right Officers looking after our Union. The
BFSA has had some setbacks, but that cannot deter us from obtaining the respect
and UNITY we once had. Don't let us go
completely corporate, get involved, speak up and rely on your new Union Board
members. They each have your best interest in mind and truly care about accomplishing great things, but we can't do it alone.
Copyright
© 2016 ~ Susan B. Anna
