Labor orgs are limited on what they can do during organizing drives. Remember, until the election is won, they dont legally represent you. Not saying this is the case here, but many times people feel as if they can walk into a union office tell the union what their employer is doing and expect the union to go after the company. Thats not how it works. Unions have to be put in a position, by you, to help you. They're labor orgs, and not legal assistance agencys.
I think the CWA and IBEW may both be getting undeserved credit for the recent and future election victories. 98% of the credit should go to the workers. Organizing drives are won by the workers showing a strong will to have a union. The labor orgs have little to do with a win or loss. A strong display of solidarity by workers is the only thing that wins elections.
Even after elections are won, workers are then in limbo. You have been certified as a bargaining unit (union), but you have no contract. So you are still an "at-will" employee. Worker solidarity is key to winning elections, and even a bigger factor in getting a good and fair contract. Winning the election is only half the battle. The ultimate goal and reason for organizing is to get a contract. Once you win an election, get ready for round 2. Workers must let the bosses know they are united and demand a fair contract.
All this and more is what makes me irritated when people view unions as a 3rd party in labor relations. Clearly, the workers are the union.
Re: Have you seen this follow-up story???
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