I'm about to do something possibly stupid

[Deja Q]

As my department's manager is keen on oursourcing, I'm about to write a newsletter to the union that will be published for all to see.

This newsletter WILL be maturely written, in a tone that is not antagonistic.

The manager has written up workers before for even politely making suggestions he does not agree with.

I'm union based, with a small amount of seniority, but I'm sure I can expect a backlash from management. I will probably be watched much more closely for ANY violation of ANYTHING (it's been a petty witchhunt since day 1 anyway, so that won't change much). Management will likely write me up which, unlike the repuke coworker who didn't go to the union and could have filed a case when he got roasted for making a simple suggestion, will prompt me to go right back to the union to fight.

Yesterday I was keen to fight the good fight.

Today I'm not so sure. I do love my job, am worried about it being outsourced, management currently like me. Is this risk worth taking?

[Kamika]

1. maybe

If you KNOW you could find another good job if they sack you..

[acmavm]

2. That's going to be a very hard choice to make. It may just come down

to are you willing to risk losing your job by standing up for what you believe in? It's sort of a integrity and principals vs. paycheck thing. Which means more to you, and who else is going to suffer if you lose your job?

Unfortunately, unless more of us start to stand up and defend what we believe to be right and true, we're going to keep taking it in the shorts. Workers at one time (in the not so distant past) had rights. But we've been sold out by our government and those that we have elected to represent us. But right now, with job outsourcing to foreign countries, it's just too damn easy to lose your job, and too damn hard to find another.

[Wickerman]

3. Your union should support you

if you pose legitimate and mature arguments against outsourcing. Of course, any management retaliation will not be directed at the letter but at your performance. As long as you can keep that clean the union reps should be able to successfully support you.

If your job is at risk due to potential outsourcing and you can write something that is compelling against that outsourcing then it seems like you are making the correct decision.

With the manager having a history of writing folks up unjustly the union should be salivating to take him on again.

Best of luck to you!

[BeatleBoot]

4. Don't do it

Sounds noble, but it ain't worth it.

Don't throw yourself into the juggernaut.

I know how you feel, but keeping employed is really important these days.

Unless, of course, you have a back up plan. Whatever you decide, always have a back up plan.

Just my thoughts (and they aren't probably worth much).

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Only you can answer that.

If it was me, I would look at just what would be accomplished with this newsletter.

Self-immolation does have its downsides. The worst that could happen is that you end up with the very nasty end of the stick and no one else cares. After your sad demise, things go on just as they had and everyone just thinks you were nuts to try to upset things.

That's the worst ending, and a very probable one. Martyrdom does not always create movements.

On the other hand, what are the alternatives, if any, to outsourcing? If you have some genuine support from others for realistic alternatives, this newsletter could be a nucleus for wider support. It could be the center for a movement that already exists. Properly done, it might infuence higher management, even though this manager would probably fight it tooth and nail.

Does the union have a militant wing that would loudly support this newsletter, or would they play hot potato with it?

If you've got some good backing for the fight, and there's a chance of winning, it might be worthwhile.

If you just go it alone because you're pissed, it's likely a doomed vanity venture.

[meti57b]

6. Considering your letter will be well-written and present a strong case ...

is it possible to have the best of both choices and publish it as "anonymous"? "Anonymous" doesn't usually count as much as a real person's name on it, but when you make a strong case, it is well-written and it stands on it's own, "anonymous" doesn't usually weaken that.