An Open Letter to the Citizens of Crestline

    This letter is in response to an article printed in a local paper July 19, 2012, when a Director of Crestline Sanitation District (CSD) was quoted as saying “I was disappointed the employees felt a need to be represented by a union” and a five percent raise was allotted for employees. Here is a little background for the community.

 When an initiative was put forth for CSD to become independent from the County, every employee was in agreement that the district would be better off.   All the employees contributed to purchase signs that were put up for the break away vote. We gave that money to the candidates running for directors in the event the ballot passed.

    After the ballot passed and CSD broke away from the County employees met with the new Board of Directors.  We asked questions about the future and the Board assured us salaries and benefits would remain the same and the future would be better. They told us they would deal fairly and in “good faith”. We thought this was good and as long as they were open and would deal fairly we did not need the representation by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association that we had.  So we stopped being represented. Presently, a rumor has been circulating that the directors wanted to lower our salary by an average of 200 dollars per pay period, we were perplexed.  This seemed incredible due to the fact that we are the lowest paid employees in our classifications anywhere on the mountain by an average of 20 %. Furthermore the District was putting about 1.3 million dollars into a reserve account bringing it up to about 8 million dollars! 

To date there have been no meetings between the Board and employees since the first one, only secrecy and behind the back planning.  We, the employees are not able to attend the meetings because they are at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and we get off at 4:30.  This and several other notions by the Board brought us to the realization that we needed to be represented.  We chose the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to represent us.  If IBEW representatives had not attended the Board meeting in May we would now be an average of 27 % below local agency pay scales for like classifications.

    Now the 5% offer. The 5 % referred to was put there to give the Board enough room to give increases to some classifications and not others. Some people who are 20 to 30 % below the average might get 9% while others might get 1% or nothing.  We have discussed this and feel it is fair to give an across the board increase to all employees. This keeps morale up and is fair to all. We only wanted a 3 ½% raise due to the increased cost of living.  We did not ask for a salary adjustment to bring us up to what other local agencies are paying. We only asked to be treated fairly and that has not happened.

    The employees of Crestline Sanitation District are a professional and dedicated group of highly skilled people, which 90% of whom live on the mountain. They solve problems that arise during everyday work and under the harsh conditions of mountain winter storms and some very adverse conditions.  The average length of employment is fourteen years for each employee.  The employees work here because we like it here, like the area, like the management and work well together as a very cohesive and able team.

    In closing, we would like to thank the citizens of Crestline for their support and encourage everyone to attend the Board meetings even though we know it is difficult due to the time of day they are scheduled.  You, the citizens of Crestline, are the ones that need to participate and take note of what is happening at these Board meetings because ultimately it is your money being spent. 

Thank you, The Employees of Crestline Sanitation District        










                                                                                                                

How to Master the Organizer Evaluation

You’ve been assigned to attend an organizer evaluation, put on by your union to assess your ability as a union organizer. Regardless of your skill and experience this is not going to be a walk-in-the-park.

Unions are implementing a tough new 25 point evaluation process to screen out unqualified applicants for union organizer positions.  If you aren’t ready to hit the ground running in a high stakes strategic organizing campaign you won’t pass. How you perform here, could affect the rest of your organizing career.

These are the five things you must do to master the organizer evaluation.

1. Be prepared to write a strategic organizing plan.

One assignment requires writing a strategic plan for a fictitious company highlighted during the three-day event. The plan should include such things as; goals, timelines, bench marks, issues, leaders, meetings, employee list, volunteer organizing committee, house calls, target date for filing, hand bills, mailings, emails, itemized expenses, etc.  It’s expected to be completed and turned in the next morning.  

2. Take detailed notes before, during and after each role play.

Yes, that’s right. You’re going to be doing role play.  It’s designed to get you out of your comfort zone to see if you can answer questions extemporaneously. Most organizers excel at this, so have fun!

Each role play is related to the same campaign. In other words whether you are communicating with a worker or addressing a volunteer organizing committee its likely part of the same campaign. The information will later be needed when writing your strategic organizing plan. It’s important to remember for example leader’s names, how many employees a company has, etc. Take notes throughout the process to refer to later.

3. Look sharp! Wear appropriate attire.

You won’t get a second chance to make a good first impression, so dress business casual. Guys; wear a sport coat, ladies; dress conservatively. Shorts, flip flops, hats or jeans with holes in them are not appropriate for an event of this type. 

4. Listen for clues and urge the person to act.

Some participants have expressed disappointment with their assessment score in one category; Ability to Motivate Others to Act. For whatever reason they didn’t feel they received adequate credit for doing so during role play. Compensate for this by giving each person a specific call to action and asking for a commitment.

5. Get plenty of rest.

There’s a tendency for people to want to blow off some steam after a long day in a classroom, especially when traveling far from family and friends.  Be careful not to stay out too late or drink in excess. Get plenty of rest. Eat healthy and be ready for the challenges ahead.

By following these five simple tips you will master the organizer evaluation. You will receive the highest possible score because you will be on top of your game, look sharp, be better informed and avoid common mistakes others have made.

Good Luck!

Bob Oedy helps union organizers succeed in the construction industry by providing solutions to dramatically increase their level of performance and productivity without burning out. For free information on how you can recruit more members, sign contractors and gain jobs for your union go to => www.unionorganizer.com

New Online Degree Program for Labor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The National Labor College (NLC) Launches New Bachelor’s Degree Programs.

SILVER SPRING, MD, January 24, 2011 — The National Labor College, which is

sponsored by the AFL-CIO and is the nation’s only regionally-accredited higher

education institution devoted exclusively to educating union members, leaders, and staff,

today announced it has launched three new fully-online bachelor’s degree programs in

Construction Management, Emergency Readiness and Response Management, and

Business Administration.

“Our new online bachelor’s degree programs are designed to help union members

advance in their current jobs or move into growth areas for new, good jobs,” said Dr.

Paula Peinovich, President of the NLC. “The College is proud to be part of the solution

to our country’s current unemployment crisis.”

New Online Degrees

These new degree-completion programs offer union members the convenience and

flexibility of online study. And with special union member rates and scholarships, NLC

students can complete their degree for less than $10,000 in two years. Plus, learning

from work experience and apprenticeships can earn union members credits towards

completing their degree.

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration

NLC’s bachelor’s degree in Business Administration is based upon the ethical treatment

of all members of society, sustainable business practices, and the idea that all

organizations should contribute to the health of the community. This program is unique

in that it has required courses that explore the labor movement’s contributions to

American society and economic prosperity. The program is designed to support the needs

of all members of the labor movement interested in contributing to the health of their

families, their unions, their organizations, and their communities.

Bachelor of Arts in Construction Management

The NLC offers the only bachelor's degree in Construction Management with required

courses that explore the labor movement’s preeminent role in the construction industry.

This degree is geared for members of the Building and Construction Trades unions who

are interested in combining their experience in the industry with the knowledge and

credentials gained in this program to become effective construction managers.

Bachelor of Science in Emergency Readiness and Response Management

The NLC is the only higher education institution offering a Bachelor of Science degree in

Emergency Readiness and Response Management that includes required courses

examining our nation’s safety and security from a labor perspective. The program is

specifically designed for rank and file union members in Fire Services, EMS, Law

Enforcement, Public Safety, Homeland Security, and other related unions. Areas of study

include the rise of modern terrorism, domestic terrorism, the Homeland Security

organization, and labor and civil liberties issues.

For more information on The National Labor College, go to http://www.nlc.edu.

The Princeton Review, Inc. (Nasdaq: REVU) has partnered with the National Labor

College to bring high-quality online bachelor’s degree completion and certificate

programs to America’s 17 million union members and working adults in their families.

About The AFL-CIO

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

is a voluntary federation of 57 national and international labor unions

http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/unions/. The AFL-CIO was created in 1955 by the merger

of the AFL and the CIO. The AFL-CIO union movement represents 11.5 million

members. We are teachers and miners, firefighters and farm workers, bakers and

engineers, pilots and public employees, doctors and nurses, painters and plumbers—and

more. www.aflcio.org.

About the National Labor College

Established as a training center by AFL-CIO in 1969 to strengthen union member

education and organizing skills, today the NLC is the nation's only accredited higher

education institution devoted exclusively to educating union leaders, members and

activists. The NLC became a degree granting college in 1997 and first earned

accreditation in 2004. www.nlc.edu. The college is accredited by the Middle States

Commission on Higher Education, an independent, regional accrediting body recognized

by the U.S. Department of Education. www.msche.org.

About The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review (Nasdaq: REVU) has been a pioneer and leader in helping students

achieve their higher education goals for more than 28 years through college and graduate

school test preparation and private tutoring. With more than 165 print and digital

publications and a free website, www.PrincetonReview.com, the company provides

students and their parents with the resources to research, apply to, prepare for, and learn

how to pay for higher education. The Princeton Review partners with schools and

guidance counselors throughout the U.S. to assist in college readiness, test preparation

and career planning services, helping more students pursue postsecondary education.

The company also owns and operates Penn Foster Education Group, a global leader in

online education, providing career-focused degree and vocational programs in the fields

of allied health, business, technology, education, and select trades through Penn Foster

High School and Penn Foster Career School (www.pennfoster.edu). Penn Foster creates

the platform to leverage the company’s Career Education Partnerships division which is

comprised of ventures with the National Labor College (NLC) and Community College

Partnerships (CCP). The venture with the NLC was formed to bring high-quality bachelor

degree’s completion and certificate programs to the AFL-CIO's 13 million members and

the working adults in their families. The CCP venture is a partnership with community

colleges to expand distance and hybrid learning opportunities. For more information, visit

www.PrincetonReview.com.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education, (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA

19104, 267-284-5000, http://www.msche.org/)

The National Labor College.

CONTACT: Michelle Dempsey (570) 961-4641

Michelle.Dempsey@pennfoster.edu

###

A Tip to Avoid Burnout

Organizing Holidays

Did your local real-estate professional leave a flag in your lawn this week?

Ours did......

She’s done it consistently for 10 years now. We get another one every Fourth of July and Memorial Day weekend. We’ve kept most of them. We’ve got quite a collection on display this weekend.

At first we thought it was pretty silly. We’re not planning on selling our house.

Why put out all that effort?

It works that’s why!

After all these years, she’s proven by her tenacity that she wants the job. When we decide to sell she’s going to get the listing. Most of the neighbors wouldn’t think about using anyone else. They trust her.

What’s this got to do with organizing you might ask?

E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g!

Each holiday we’re given an opportunity to connect with the people we wish to influence.

Labor Day is coming up. Perhaps there’s a contractor you always wanted to sign or a candidate you feel would be an asset to the union. You could send a holiday letter or drop off your business card with a note about Labor Day. If done consistently it could make a huge impression. It’s worth a try.

Well, here’s to a safe and Happy Independence Day Weekend!

God Bless America!


I’ve posted a few videos that might interest you here


http://www.youtube.com/user/unionorganizing


http://www.viddler.com/explore/unionorganizer/videos/2/


http://www.viddler.com/explore/unionorganizer/videos/1/

Just Published by Union Organizer Press

The Green Career Ladder; a step-by-step guide to profitable careers in sustainable energy by Bob Oedy.

Yes you can…

• Get a Green job that won’t rot your soul

• Make the world a cleaner, better place

• Leave a meaningful legacy for future generations

• And make great money doing it!

Why choose between making a difference and making a living? In this ground-breaking guide to Green careers, I reveal the emerging career opportunities that make it possible for you to help save the planet and build a significant personal income at the same time, regardless of your political affiliation or level of training.

Whether you’re a student preparing for a Green lifestyle, a recent graduate looking for your first job, or are contemplating a switch to a Greener second career, The Green Career Ladder will guide you through every stage of the process, including:

• Where to find the best training

• Landing your first job

• Identifying responsible companies that pay well

• Living a Green lifestyle

• Starting your own business

• How to control your own future, make good money, and live a fulfilling life

• Leaving a legacy for future generations

This fast-reading, down-to-earth guide blends sustainable ideals with practical realities to give you realistic insights about today’s growing Green marketplace. You’ll learn why Green is finally here to stay and how to chart your own path to success, both today and tomorrow.

Available at Amazon.com and GreenCareerLadder.com

Printed union in the United States of America

Union Organizer Honored For Exceptional Career

Veteran union organizer Larry Henderson announced his intention to retire after many years of dedicated service with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 11. A party was thrown for Larry at Cirivello’s Sport Stop in Long Beach on Wednesday, December 17th. Representatives from the Los Angeles City Council as well as the Port of Los Angeles honored Larry with proclamations for his efforts to improve the lives of workers and their families. Larry was a fixture at port meetings and was influential in getting safety language implemented in the bidding process. Such safety language has resulted in less workers being injured and improved working conditions for everyone in the port. Community leaders, friends and trade unionists from various crafts celebrated his exceptional career.

Union Organizer Abducted by Iranian Government

Tuesday July 10th Tehran- Suspected government assailants attacked and abducted union organizer and president of the Bus Drivers Union, Mansour Osanloo. The attackers continued to beat Osanloo as he was driven away in an unmarked car (Read more here). Please join me in protesting this despicable act against a fellow labor activist by sending a protest letter AND signing a petition online. Amir Taheri of the Prairie Pundit calls Osanloo “Iran’s Lech Walesa”. Violent acts against labor leaders seem to be on the rise. We cannot allow this to continue.

Is There a Future for Union Organizing?

I disagree with futurist and author Alvin Toffler, who recently predicted that the job of Union Organizer will disappear 20 years from now (By 2027). He was quoted on Forbes.com as also saying, “The labor movement has not come to terms with the knowledge economy at all.”

It’s just not true. The quality of union apprenticeship training has never been better. The building trades are heavily invested in their member’s education. Journeyman upgrade classes are packed with members who want to stay ahead of the industry. Innovation is encouraged; just look at the unions that are training their member’s to become contractors in expanding markets, like the electrical workers are with solar power.

That’s why I started this blog. To discuss the issues we face in construction organizing.

Here’s my prediction: I think progressive labor unions like those of the building trades who encourage innovation are going to come to terms with the value of organizing and rise to dominate the labor movement.

It does make one think though…… Have we invested enough in education? What skill sets will construction workers be required to have in 2027? What challenges will we face in the future?