By Justin Madden, Secretary-Treasurer
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| Justin Madden |
Each of you has been treated to a superb edition of the Grapevine this quarter. As always, our National Officers have placed a lot of consideration and energy into their articles, and it really shows their dedication to educate and inform the membership. I’d like to echo and reinforce some of their thoughts and advocate that you read the Grapevine again to get the full effect.
The National Director’s piece gives us an update for the ongoing National Safety Initiative, but also shares a string of recent arbitration successes that AMFA has obtained for the membership. This is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the grievance process. Louie also reminds us how “vital exact contract language is in enforcing your rights...” as it relates to our Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
The Assistant National Director uses the current AMFA-SWA AMT Negotiations to highlight how important contract negotiations are to our future and that companies are asking us to “gamble on compensation” while seemingly forgetting that our members’ high productivity is a major contributor of record profits.
Culture and the “way we work” is the main topic of the National Safety and Standard Director’s piece. As we see more change in our craft, he advises that we work together as peers to evolve our culture. His article contains admonitions that each of us should follow, or else we will be forced to deal with the “dire consequences.”
The Region I Director wrote an educational article on the Local Grievance Committee. He outlines their responsibilities, roles, and purpose. This is a significant and mostly unheralded part of the grievance process that members should make themselves aware of.
Upcoming elections and the importance of casting an “informed” vote is the topic of the Region II Director’s article. As local officer elections as currently ongoing, this is a timely and stimulating piece. I won’t give it all away, but there’s more to casting a vote then just checking a box or clicking your mouse. Read his article for all the details.
The takeaways from the articles this month are enormous. Your contract, elections, the grievance procedure, and safety are subjects that each member should more than know--they are essential to the furtherance of our craft, your livelihood, and could ultimately save your life. Read and consider what has been written for your benefit, and if you have questions, feel free to reach out to your National Officers. It is your responsibility to be an informed union member and that should not be taken lightly.
Finally, as most are surely conscious that October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, and perhaps less aware that “Movember” has replaced November and is the month of awareness for mainly male cancers (prostate and testicular), I’d like each of you to contemplate supporting the finding of a cure in some way, shape, or form. Even if it’s just wearing pink this month (many of the NFL players are), or growing a mustache next month, anything to raise cancer awareness helps. We as a Union of brothers and sisters have or will be directly affected by this deadly disease, and I wish a speedy recovery to those currently undergoing treatment, and hearty congratulations to those in remission. Sadly, some have lost a loved one to cancer this year, and I want to offer my sincere and profound sorrow for your loss. May their memory live on in the hearts and minds of those who loved them.
