tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post2266753550975816255..comments2023-10-10T04:30:38.687-05:00Comments on Deo volente: Southern Story on Strike Authorization VoteDave Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09100006856645294730noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-36887310555750765022011-09-18T18:27:41.316-05:002011-09-18T18:27:41.316-05:004:46, the argument you made has indeed been made i...4:46, the argument you made has indeed been made in union circles. This tactical decision is the sort of thing the DRC has and will continue to make, sometimes after rather heated discussions. These are hard issues, with no clear-cut answers. The problem as I see it is that we will never get ready to strike unless there is an imminent threat of a strike. For the only way to get the large majorityDave Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09100006856645294730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-29976609971623781322011-09-18T16:46:27.175-05:002011-09-18T16:46:27.175-05:00Great comments and explanations on this thread, Na...Great comments and explanations on this thread, Natasha. I have a concern - who determines "when we are ready to win" and thus able to set a strike date (if necessary)? My sense is that the leadership of the FA envisions a strike during this semester, though not too late in the term. What if this timetable is too soon for the fine efforts that you are advocating to grow appropriately? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-35674179363252835012011-09-17T22:02:28.051-05:002011-09-17T22:02:28.051-05:00Mike and Joe: I agree with you both 100% about the...Mike and Joe: I agree with you both 100% about the membership drive. We need to build our membership, and it's happening as I write. I think we've gained quite a bit in membership in just the last two weeks, and the other locals are growing, as well.<br /><br />Just a word about the strike vote as you consider the decision: if we lose the vote, it's all over. Our bargaining team will Natashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14873177942643383807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-52599536371848366072011-09-17T21:35:16.174-05:002011-09-17T21:35:16.174-05:00Thank you Mike for expressing your comments. I wa...Thank you Mike for expressing your comments. I wasn't on campus yet in 2003, but like you am undecided right now on the strike authorization vote. If I vote to authorize the DRC to call a strike, I want to make sure we're striking with the best potential of success; with our membership where it is, I am not convinced (yet). <br /><br />Joe (Anonymous 11:34 from the other day's Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-54837067192131425802011-09-17T19:22:38.669-05:002011-09-17T19:22:38.669-05:00Thanks Natasha. If I vote no (I am still undecided...Thanks Natasha. If I vote no (I am still undecided), but the majority votes to strike & the DRC then calls a strike, I will strike.<br /><br />But I do think we need a coordinated membership drive.<br /><br />MikeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-63285008221305151042011-09-17T19:11:25.981-05:002011-09-17T19:11:25.981-05:00Hi Mike, Thanks for your honesty. I hear you, I re...Hi Mike, Thanks for your honesty. I hear you, I really do. I think there are others who feel the way that you do. Here's my answer to you: if you object to the Administration's imposed terms (as it sounds like you do), then vote "yes" on September 8th for strike authorization. A collective response--and specifically a credible strike threat--is our only chance in this situationNatashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14873177942643383807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-27846295899787038012011-09-17T18:36:36.853-05:002011-09-17T18:36:36.853-05:00I am leaning toward voting no on the 28th. Here is...I am leaning toward voting no on the 28th. Here is why. I just don't think we are strong enough. None of the unions have over 50% membership of their bargaining units. In 2003 I voted for a strike. We had a membership drive and our numbers were better. If I do vote no it will not be a vote for the admin's proposed contract or against the union. It will be a vote for a membership drive. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-75487282056723495952011-09-17T18:29:54.018-05:002011-09-17T18:29:54.018-05:00The secretaries (civil service?) hold the REAL pow...The secretaries (civil service?) hold the REAL power. : - )Jonathan Beannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-77267094636273276072011-09-17T14:21:25.743-05:002011-09-17T14:21:25.743-05:00The NTT have voted to hold such a vote 'as soo...The NTT have voted to hold such a vote 'as soon as is practicable'. I'm pretty sure that the grad students and AcSES (civil service) unions are also on this same track.Dave Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09100006856645294730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-78814730489142170232011-09-17T14:03:16.296-05:002011-09-17T14:03:16.296-05:00Are the other unions taking strike authorization v...Are the other unions taking strike authorization votes?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-52611842514388400212011-09-17T13:31:12.616-05:002011-09-17T13:31:12.616-05:00Personally, I think its very obvious this administ...Personally, I think its very obvious this administration does not have the best interests of the students at heart. Look at the millions spent on a logo, administrative raises, a basketball coach and stadiums. Think how much good that money could have done if spent on students. SIUs priorities have to change.Keith Wilsonhttp://www.siuntt.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492014659405332380.post-703836965032441682011-09-17T12:18:55.545-05:002011-09-17T12:18:55.545-05:00Don't expect positive media coverage. The FA&#...Don't expect positive media coverage. The FA's target audience has to be members and non-members + students. Randy Auxier brought up an issue that is important to students but never adopted here by the administration (it would require campuswide contract, I think?): <br /><br />Textbook rentals. <br /><br />I just went to SEMO on a campus visit for my daughter. She is interested in speechJonathan Beannoreply@blogger.com