AFRAM
IS A NATIONAL CAUCUS FOR SEIU
MEMBERS AND STAFF OF AFRICAN DESCENT
|
|
|
UNITED WE STAND… DIVIDED WE FALL? Are we really stronger if we
walk away from our sister unions in the AFL-CIO? |
|
The leadership of Local 715 has voted to support the SEIU International’s plan to pull us away from the AFL-CIO, the organization that brings the majority of major unions together. This raises some serious concerns that I believe require serious discussion. For example: • What will happen during the times when we are on strike and need support fromother AFL-CIO unions? Will we be able to count on their support? • Will other unions raid our bargaining units or attempt to ruin our organizing efforts?• What about the labor councils that have supported our political efforts in the past?Can we count on their continued support? • Will being out of the AFL-CIO really make us stronger? Will we become the enemiesof unions that once supported us?
AS HEALTHCARE WORKERS SHOULDN’T WE HAVE A REAL DISCUSSION WITH OUR UNION LEADERS ABOUT THIS DECISION THAT WILL AFFECT ALL OF US? Local 715 has scheduled seven meetings all around Santa Clara and San Mateo counties to have discussions” with Local 715 members. Many of us here at VMC are insulted that the leadership of Local 715 decided that we were not important enough to them to schedule a meeting here at VMC where Local 715 has thousands of members. As you all remember, it was not very hard for the union to find us and talk to us during the union election campaign. Shouldn't they be making the same effort to meet with us on this matter? Whether the plan to leave the AFL-CIO is a good one or not, is debatable. As VMC healthcare workers we deserve a voice as healthcare workers IN OUR WORKPLACE here at VMC! There will be a VMC General Membership Meeting on May 19, 2005 The purpose of the meeting will be to have a discussion among VMC hospital union members about this plan to leave the AFL-CIO. The meeting will be in the VMC cafeteria and will begin at 2:30pm and go until 5:30pm. There we will discuss the pros and the cons of the SEIU plan to leave the AFL-CIO. Afterwards we will vote on a resolution to either support the plan or oppose the plan. Hopefully, the leadership of Local 715 will attend and hear our concerns. It’s time for us as healthcare workers to send a message to Local 715 that we will never be ignored again! See you there.
|