That is very discouraging but it's also understandable. The member response would be the same in my local. I think it's a reflection of how deep the rot has been allowed to fungus up.
How about an open letter to your co-members - it may open some lines of communication. And with the issue hot off the *press* - now might be the opportune time to reach at least some of them? Just a thought.
Apathy
5 members showed up for a general membership meeting. No wonder we have so much trouble showing strength.
Part of a union's purpose is to teach empowerment. Some union leaders do a bit (usually at bargaining time) to rouse the masses to exercise their power in the workplace. The union elite spend little if any time in rousing the masses to exercise their power within the union.
People don't show up at union meetings because the union leaders don't want anyone with an opposing idea to set foot in a meeting.
If someone does inadvertently attend with an opposing idea or agenda, the meeting is deliberately populated, with paid staffers and officials, in order to shut the person down. Meetings are where machine head wannabe's are groomed and where they can show their blind loyalty. They are paid to shoot the opposing idea down or to make sure the chump never sets foot in a meeting again.
Low attendance isn't be accident; it's by design.
That is the exact message sent clearly to all in attendance at the last meeting I attended.
Paid staffers spoke in support of the Union executive and union officers were openly hostile to me.
If I was a person who was attending with legitimate concern... I would be afraid to voice an opinion in case I was told sit down a shut up.
I think that it comes down to this: People don't bother coming out to these meetings because they believe that their presence will change nothing - that the deals have already been cut and that no matter which way they vote, they'll get whatever the union leaders and corporate bosses have decided they're going to get anyway.
That's a real problem within the UFCW because there's such a long history of union-management friendliness. Consider all the hoop-la in 2003 about "no concessions in 2006". That was hailed as a great breakthrough in bargaining. A guarantee that there would be no more concessions and that the members could finally feel some sense of security. Well, less than a year later, there are further demands for concessions and the union is willing to talk and willing to do deals at the OLRB that will grease the skids for more gouging.
How are members to feel that what they want is going to be taken even remotely seriously.
Beyond this, however, what is called "apathy" by the leaders is really because our great leaders aren't giving people anything to get excited about. Can you imagine MLK asking people to rise up so that they might get a couple of seats at the front of the bus or a few more "colored" water fountains?
That's the equivalent of what our great labour leaders promise to get us - a few more crumbs from the boss's table. Some of them can't seem to deliver even that.
Apathy? Sure. That's exactly what the leaders can expect and, as weiser said, some of them even hope for it.
quote:
posted by wm pasz:
I think that it comes down to this: People don't bother coming out to these meetings because they believe that their presence will change nothing -
I think you give people too much credit. Too many don't come to meetings because they don't care as long as it does not affect them personally.
First they came for the Jews, but I did not care because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the blacks, but I did not care because I was not black. Then they came for the union members who were not favoured in the eyes of the executives, but I did not care because I was unknown to the executives. Then, then they came for me after all, but there was no one left who could care for me.
Not speaking for any particular union membership, but you have to remember many rank and file members cannot make it to union meeetings, they are on the road. They do not have the opportunity to travel 200, 300 miles to get to a union meeting.
That is where it becomes important the websites, as such, the rank and file are informed, become aware they do exist.
The communication within this site, is GREAT! 
However, that does not ring true with many other unions.
This is a good thread because it points to the essential thing that anyone who is serious about reforming UFCW has to do: educate people about what is going on, and what can be done.
This is no small task and requires patience and tenacity. It is unrealistic to think that we can eliminate apathy just by telling people what is wrong with things, and encouraging them to show up at a meeting to challenge the leadership on what is going on.
Activists are going to have to reach out repeatedly to members. No doubt that they will meet with the "its hopeless" mantra repeatedly, but we have to continue talking, writing and agitating. Why?
Because eventually there will come a time when outside circumstances will stir people up. They will be dissatisfied, and will look for someone who has some ideas about what to do. If we have done our job, people remember what we have pointed out, what we have suggested, and more importantly they will remember that we listened to them.
Then it is possible to build a political base to change things.
We have a tough road ahead, but the problems are by no means insurmountable.
In the end the course that the current leadership has us one is disastorous, and eventually it will be undeniable to everyone. Then all the tricks and cronies will fail to stop members from speaking out; if we, as activists, don't get burned out, or so angry that we come off as raving lunatics.
We can win this thing.
quote:
posted by yankeebythewater:
Not speaking for any particular union membership, but you have to remember many rank and file members cannot make it to union meeetings, they are on the road. They do not have the opportunity to travel 200, 300 miles to get to a union meeting.
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I can see that in some cases, but the majority of members of this local live within the urban transit area of Ottawa. At least, more than five of us do...
quote:
posted by kiacyclic:
This is a good thread because it points to the essential thing that anyone who is serious about reforming UFCW has to do: educate people about what is going on, and what can be done.
.
Thanks!
Not that I have made the insightful comments that I am letting percolate through my brain before possibly replying.
I find it tiring to be always expected to have the answers for people who REFUSE to take the time to look for themselves. I do it, since that is what I signed up for being a shop steward, but it still feels like I'm being used.
I might try making a newsletter or something after meetings to give to members, hopefully promoting interest in participating more actively. Then again, maybe that isn't safe considering how the union is treating this site.
Apathetic union members? I'm shocked!
All kidding aside, apathy is---perhaps I should say--- a "North American" disease. It's so much easier to sit back and watch t.v. and let the rest of the members take care of business. Or the rest of the citizens, during an election. Or the community at large, on a daily basis.
I hate to hear that members are not being allowed to speak. (There are ways to get your opinions heard; and have them entered into the record as well.) But if you come to a meeting with the intention of merely shit disturbing---you will probably face getting shouted down.
If you want to be heard, submit your intention to your e-board in a formal correspondance, and ask that you be allowed a place on the general meeting agenda. If you are not given an opportunity to do so, even at the new business at the end of a meeting---who looks bad? You, for trying---or them, for being paranoid? I think you know.
If all you are asking for is a chance to present your agenda to the membership for consideration, what's the problem?
This gives you the time to pack the meeting with supporters who will help advance your agenda; it's easy to gang up in one or two folks---but not half the room.
Back to the apathy. Reform can't happen without support---and we can barely get members to vote in internal elections.
.[/qb][/QUOTE]Thanks!
I might try making a newsletter or something after meetings to give to members, hopefully promoting interest in participating more actively. Then again, maybe that isn't safe considering how the union is treating this site.[/QB][/QUOTE]
That is a great idea, and exactly what I am doing in my own area (Puget Sound in Washington State).
And I also have a web log at www.thestorefloor.blog-city.com
Don't be afraid to start your own, the union bosses have no right to harrass you for doing so; neither does your employer's management. If the screw with you, you're the one who can make an issue of it and show them-up for what they really are.
Also a newsletter is a great way to get people talking. Ask coworkers if there is an issue that they want addressed, or even if they want to contribute.
By showing that people can openly oppose the boss (company or union) you show that it is possible to do something about our problems.