We stand together or fall alone - CWA Local 1180

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6 J u l y /Au g u s t ’11 C o m m u n i q u e Working on a problem to reach consensus. A sample resolution on bullying in the workplace Be it resolved that the social and economic well-being of the State is dependent upon healthy and productive employees; 2. Be it resolved that surveys and studies have documented that between 16 and 21 percent of employees directly experience health-endangering workplace bullying, abuse, and harassment, and that this behavior is four times more prevalent than sexual harassment alone; 3. Be it resolved that surveys and studies have documented that abusive work environments can have serious and even devastating effects on targeted Audrey Henderson and Michael Priccoli in a role play. employees, including feelings of shame and humiliation, stress, loss of sleep, severe anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal tendencies, reduced immunity to infection, stressrelated gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension, and pathophysiologic changes that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease; 4. Be it resolved that surveys and studies have documented that abusive work environments have serious consequences for employers, including reduced employee productivity and morale, higher turnover and absenteeism rates The Shop Steward By Gary Schoichet A shop steward knocked at the heavenly gate His face was scared and old He stood before the decider of his fate for admission to the fold. “What have you done,” Saint Peter said, “To gain admission here?” “I’ve been a shop steward, Sir, for many and many a year,” he said. The pearly gate swung open wide, St. Peter touched the bell. “Come in and choose your harp”, he said. “You’ve had your share of hell.” Author unknown (but probably a shop steward) It’s not that bad. While many stewards have been known to complain about the job, the members, the time they spend, the thanklessness that goes with the position, they also realize how important they are in the functioning of the union. A good steward, a well-trained steward is the backbone of the organization. Stewards are the link between the leadership of the union and the rank-and-file members. In general, most union stewards perform the following functions: and significant increases in medical and workers’ compensation claims; 5. Be it resolved that unless employees have been subjected to abusive treatment at work on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin or age, they are unlikely to have legal recourse to redress such treatment; 6. Be it resolved that legal protection from abusive work environments should not be limited to behavior grounded in protected class status such as that provided for under employment discrimination statutes; and, Monitor and enforce the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement; ensure that the firm is in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations; represents workers through the grievance procedure; communicate and disseminate official union policy; promote union consciousness and values in the workplace. Towards those ends and other ends, Local 1180 invited a group of stewards to a training to explore how the union can counter the attacks on public sector work- 7. Be it resolved that existing workers’ compensation plans and common-law tort actions are inadequate to discourage this behavior or to provide adequate redress to employees who have been harmed by abusive work environments. 8. Be it resolved that our union will address workplace bullying through member awareness, steward training, joint labor/management committees, collective bargaining and legislative initiatives. Source: Yamada (2004). Adapted from Healthy Workplace Bill: Findings and Purposes photos 6 & 7: Gary schoichet
ers and then engage in actions to bring the message to the public. Organizing members in the shops to participate in actions, demonstrations, leafleting, and the simple act of wearing red on Thursdays as a unifying tool was discussed. Workplace issues shared the time as did the subject of workplace bullying. Role-playing scenarios of workplace situations (out of title work, harassment, overtime situations) taught stewards to think on their feet. Issues were discussed in groups, contracts were read, and solutions agreed upon. Bullying The May/June 2010 issue of the Communique (available online) featured a story on bullying in the workplace. For two hours stewards, with the help of Cornell University professor KC Wagner, talked about C o m m u n i q u e : Backbone of the union all aspects of bullying, the obvious and the not so obvious. Below is a sample proposal to make the workplace a safer place. May Day and May 12 May 2011 was a month to put on a red shirt and join with members of Local 1180 and other unions and community groups and get out in the streets and holler and tell the governor, the mayor, the Wall Street barons, and all the other powers that be that the “change” being perpetrated on working people and the middle class was good for no one, except, of course, the powers that be. The May Day (born in the U.S.A.) rally called for upholding workers’ rights and immigrants’ rights, and the creation of jobs. Foley Square was packed with people and alive with music and speeches (too long, too many) and a rollicking spirit. On May 12 it was feeder marches into the belly of the beast, Wall Street, calling for the bankers and traders who took down the economy to pay their share of the burden being imposed on the vanishing middle classes via the City budget. CWA’s telephone contingent called on Verizon to use its $26 billion in profits to create jobs. –GS It’s not easy to tell your message in 30 seconds. J u l y /Au g u s t ’11 7
Page 1 and 2: Communique July/August 2011 A union
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Page 9 and 10: Let’s reclaim our country “ We
Page 11 and 12: Local 1180 elections coming this fa

We stand together or fall alone - CWA Local 1180

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