Changing Unions

[steve_o_vp49]

Let me start out by introducing myself. I'm the VP of a small local in the CT Independent Labor Union/ CT Independent Police Union (CILU/ CIPU). We are police, fire and 911 dispatchers. I'm 29 years old and have been working 7 years, 5 of them I've been VP.

Our local has only 16 members and all of us had little or no experience in unions, other than paying dues. Our current president, who was elected with me, had zero union experience when he took over. He takes the job seriously and attends every meeting, conference, or vote held. He gets all his info and knowledge from our service rep, who happened to be the first president of our local. She has a sketchy reputation with our membership. Many feel she made a lot of questionable and self-rewarding side deals and negotiations. Some of our membership feel that our president is a pawn for her, and will do whatever she says.

About 3 1/2 years ago, the reps began complaining about the actions of the director at the time. Many of the reps felt he was too hard on them and was very confrontational, and it was causing a difficult work environment at the office. The director ended up stepping down in the end, and forming a rival union.

Then, 3 years ago, our reps were negotiating their contract with our union. During these negotiations it was clear that the reps were underpaid for the amount of work they were handling. The ta went before the membership with most reps receiving at least a 25% raise, some getting over 80%. Also, included were $20 meal allowances and no co pay on medical. The no medical co pay was a sore issue since, we had just negotiated our contract and the reps were telling all the locals that there was no way we were gonna get away without a co pay or get a cap on the medical. So, they drop this in front of us when we walked into the meeting, many of us were unaware as to how much they were asking. It was one hell of a meeting. Basically our negotiator said they dropped a list demands on the table and did not budge at all. So he brought it before the local reps and figured we would vote it down. Now our union attorney was asked to come in and advise. When it was asked if we could table the agreement, so that the reps could bring it back membership, he said he strongly believes the staff would strike. So it went to a vote and it was split. Our executive board president said that we needed to be better employers than ours and granted the contract, on the basis of the staff's workload.

Now we come to 18 months ago. The staff and executive board decided to bring before the membership the possibility of joining UE, a national association of independent unions. Apparently, this would give our union some much needed resources. Part of the 1 year trial agreement would be no dues increases, but once the year was up and we signed to stay on, we would have to raise the dues to afford UE. So, we gave them a try for the year, and it was debatable whether or not it improved the union operations. Of course the staff has nothing but good things to say, due to the fact that their workload was lightened. But, the union did vote to go with UE, and we now are implementing those raises.

So we have:

A. The director forced out, because he was to tough on the staff. (I wish I could get rid of my boss every time he got on my ass to get my work done).

B. The demands made for huge raises and benefit increases, when they tell us not expect to much in our local negotiations because of the hurting municipalities.

C. Granting the staff that contract for their heavy workload, and then joining with UE so their workload was lightened.

D. And the substantial raise in union dues we just implemented.

*****I don't necessarily agree with all these views*****

So now I have members asking me how we would go go about looking into other unions.

So what I'm asking is:

A. When does your window open to change unions?

B. Where can I find a list of dispatchers' unions? (obviously I can call every dispatch center up and ask who they use, but I didn't know if the was any database full of all this info)

C. Do you think those recent events are something that happens in every union, and aren't a basis for leaving?

Any info would be helpful, I'm pretty much in the dark on this. Thanks in advance!