1977-02 February IBEW Journal.pdf - International Brotherhood of ...

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experience follo ..... ing this action have
convened the objections to enthusias
tic praise supporting thc policy.
There is a negative side to undertaking
mergers, he said, for example, the
burdens placed inequitably upon the
small loca l. They arc ph ysicall y and
economically unable to meet today's
heavy demand upon their tim e and
fu nds. He cited compliance with Ihe
many complex federal and state laws,
the rising costs of processing and arbi-'
trating grieVances. and the relative indTcdivcm:»I>
of tl lc :.m:ill ullit altem,>ting
to force the giant employers into
fair agreements.
A{lcliTinnally. the very fael ThaI if
the key oflicer of the local. the business
manager. who is charged with the
responsibility of cont ract administration.
must serve in the dual role of
union 3dvocate and employee of Ihe
company he is opposing. it could cause
weak settlements fo r the member in
both his grievances and results in contract
terms.
Turning to the pOSlllve factors
favoring mcrger. he enumerated goals
which can be 1'l\tained nnd hnve heen
realized by such consolidation. Continuity
of leadership. greater financi31
strength, union educalion and trainins
programs arc 3mong the many
positive gains. It is clear. he said, that
the scoreboard on grievances and
arbitration show~ many more "wios'"
and thai our working agreements improve
markedly in proportion 10 the
amount of full -time representation the
members have.
He pointed Ollt the value of nn
interplant referrn l system that hns
operated effectively within larger
locals, unemployed members from
one shop thereby being able to obtain
preference at another represented by
the same local. In addition, members
or ~llI:h
lucab often enjoy a whole
series of programs and benefits unknown
to the local of li mited scope.
Prepaid legal services, discount buying.
union public:Hions. school and
scholarship programs. nnd highly
effective hea lth and safety controls
were a few of the examples ci led. The
large locals possc~s a high degree of
"political doul" tOO, he said. which
results in the election of people who
respond to labor needs.
It boils down. he staled. to the obligation
of our organization to provide
full representation 10 our members,
not just as members, but as people.
The union ought to be the focal point
of members' interests and problems.
and we need to reestablish ourscives
Above left: View of some of the delegates as they
listen attentively to remarks of a speaker.
Above: One of the guest speakers was Kevin
Crowe of the Union Savings and Retirement Fund.
left: At the podium is Paul McCaffetry. coordi·
nator, Massachusetts Com mittee for Occupational
Safety and Health. who spoke to the delegates on
the functions of MashCosh. Seated is Ed Collins,
business manager of local 455.
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"'W Journ,,1