by Jack Engel
The Importance Of An Active and Informed Membership
The Importance Of An Active and Informed Membership - by Jack Engel
Local 798 has come a long way since November 2004. The progress of the continuing reformation of this local since then has been nothing short of astounding due to the Herculean efforts of our current (and former) Executive Board members and numerous member/volunteers who have worked continuously since this process began.
We have had a number of new members who have joined since Local 798's receivership and more than a couple of them can usually be found attending the general membership meetings, asking questions, making suggestions and motions in an effort to be an involved member of their union.
This is heartening because the primary reason the local had fallen into neglect back then was the lack of interest on the part of the membership to oversee Local 798's management (or lack thereof) and to learn how the details of how our finances, real property management and maintenance, investment portfolios and general office expenses were dealt with.
Indeed, the local went for years without general membership meetings because the bulk of the membership had lost the belief that their involvement could make a difference in how their local was managed.
Some folks would argue that it was lack of interest on the part of the membership that allowed the local to fall into neglect. Why it happened doesn't matter anymore.
What does matter is that we could find ourselves sliding slowly back to where we once were prior to November 2004 if we continue to ignore our individual responsibilities as members of this local.
We were very lucky to have the late Kelly Gleason, Norm and the rest of the E-Board who currently (and formerly) serve and protect our interests. However, it would be a big mistake on the membership's part to assume that the good folks who currently serve are willing to continue their service and maintain the status quo of Local 798 for the rest of their working lives.
That is why it is most important for ALL of our members to start attending our general membership meetings (even if "Health Care" issues aren't on the agenda) and start educating ourselves in regards to the "how and why?" of all of the numerous reforms and programs they implemented to lead the local out of receivership and make it well managed and solvent again.
Newer members can browse this website to educate themselves as to just how bad things can get when the membership gives up on overseeing the management of the local and stops attending meetings (or demanding them). Older members (like me) can just draw from their own experiences.
Very few labor locals have ever had the chance to rebuild themselves the way we have. Our success can be directly attributed to our current management and leadership. We will not have another "team" as great as the one we have now if the bulk of the membership doesn't start getting involved right now and attending these meetings, educating themselves in regards to the machinations of our office, the P&W fund, contracts, our real estate and communicating with their union brothers and sisters in venues like this and on the job (amongst yourselves of course).
This local will not run on "auto-pilot" and if the general membership doesn't start preparing for the future management of it's local right now, it could make 798's future administration problematic.
It's your local too...
© 2007 798members.com updated: 04/26/2008