Organized labor members, former members and supporters thread

[bobthedrummer]

If you are currently a union member, or have ever been involved in any way with organized labor {like I have} I'd like to say howdy!
:hi:

[Jokerman]

1. Never had the opportunity to join a union

But I would in a heartbeat.

My dad was a member of the UAW for 30 years. I like to credit the UAW dental plan with the fact that I still have teeth. I lost several teeth to a sports accident and without the UAW my parents could have never afforded the reconstruction.

[bobthedrummer]

3. My dad was a lifelong Teamster.

Isn't it nice to have a decent medical plan?
:hi:

[GOPisEvil]

2. Howdy!

Texas State Employees' Union member here. Affiliated with the CWA. :hi:

Of course, bring in a right to fire state, it doesn't do a whole lot of good, but better than nothing.

[bobthedrummer]

7. I hear that!

My last involvement with a union was running an informational picket-line for UFCW Local 73 in Green Bay, 1993-94.
:hi:

[ChoralScholar]

52. Mine too. My dad just retired in November

after 22 years with Yellow Freight in Little Rock. Great retirement too. He gets 100 dollars per month for every year he was with the company, plus health insurance paid.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. 2nd generation Union advocate here

My dad was an organizer. I consult local unions on disability and ADA issues.

[bobthedrummer]

9. I've had international reps over for dinner.

I'm glad to know you.
:hi:

[Beaker]

5. Howdy Brother!

Laborer's Local 6 in Chicago checking in.

[bobthedrummer]

10. Howdy, neighbor!

:hi:

[lpbk2713]

6. IBEW (TeleComm) for 35 years.

I wouldn't have done it any other way.

[bobthedrummer]

11. Bless you! 35 years, WOW!

:hi:

[rucky]

8. UFCW 555

:hi:

[bobthedrummer]

12. Alright!

:hi:

[CanuckAmok]

13. Directors Guild, IATSE, and ACFC-Assoc. of Canadain Film Craftspeople.

Proud to be affiliated with the Canadian Electronics and Paperworkers Union, and in lock-step with Teamsters and SAG/Actra.

on edit:

"There is a Power in a Union" (Traditional)

There is power in a factory, power in the land
Power in the hands of a worker
But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand There is power in a Union

Now the lessons of the past were all learned with workers' blood
The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
From the cities and the farmlands to trenches full of mud
War has always been the bosses' way, sir

The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and out sisters from many far off lands
There is power in a Union

Now I long for the morning that they realise
Brutality and unjust laws can not defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackies out to cheat us?

Money speaks for money, the Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone
What a comfort to the widow, a light to the child
There is power in a Union

The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and out sisters from many far off lands
There is power in a Union.

[bobthedrummer]

16. Fantastic! Artists can be represented too!

:hi:

[CanuckAmok]

21. Damn straight!

Sometimes the biggest thorns in my side are SAG/Actra members, but I sure admire their solidarity, and respect their rights!

[Search Party]

14. thanks for this thread, bob

former president, vice, shop steward of paper, allied, chemical and energy workers union....7 years

i miss the good fight and EDUCATING the masses

[bobthedrummer]

18. My father-in-law is a past President of Local 232 {Briggs&Stratton Corp.}

This fight will always be around!
:hi:

on edit: Welcome to DU!

[MissMarple]

15. AFT when NEA was a "professional" organization.

Teachers needed a real union then.

[bobthedrummer]

20. Yep, they're "terrorists" now!

:hi:

[JohnKleeb]

17. supporter and future member :)

[bobthedrummer]

22. You'll be in good standing then, you already have the spirit!

:hi:

[JohnKleeb]

24. yep

:hi:
Grocery workers union I believe. I need to see someone about it. I am in full support of the coming strike. Just the other day when I was bagging inside, this woman customer is like whoa this is hard, I grin now ya know why we are going on strike, and my friend who works at circuit city thinks we should get paid better, indeed many of my coworkers are working to support a family. Unions are the best.

[bobthedrummer]

25. I'd suggest contacting the UFCW John.

[JohnKleeb]

26. I gotta talk to someone at work, coworker of mine told me too

I tell you this, I support the upcoming strike.

[MuseRider]

19. HOWDY!!

Was a board director for our local (disbanded) Musicians Union.

[bobthedrummer]

23. HOWDY!

:hi:

[Bluzmann57]

27. Union Yes!!

I have belonged to Labor Unions since 1977, at a job I worked at. The place shut down, I was hired at another Union place, I got laid off, and now have a job at another Union Place. Three different Unions in my life, and have been a steward, and am now an activist for the Local I belong to. Boilermakers now btw. On edit-my dad was a Union man, as was an uncle. Dad, Aluminum workers, uncle, Teamster.

[bobthedrummer]

28. YES!

I grew up in Milwaukee, which has a great tradition of unions too.
:hi:

[Mr. McD]

29. Member of UPTE. Part of CWA

University Professional & Technical Employees

[bobthedrummer]

30. Glad to meet you!

:hi:

[bobthedrummer]

31. Your rights under the law.

The National Labor Relations Act (Taft-Hartley and Landrum-Griffen) provides the following:

"Sec. 7
Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing and to engage in concerted activities, for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection."

The law says that you have a RIGHT TO FORM A UNION.

The law says that you have a RIGHT TO A UNION CONTRACT.

The law says that your EMPLOYER OR SUPERVISOR CAN'T FIRE YOU OR HURT YOU IN ANY WAY FOR ORGANIZING OR JOINING A UNION.

:hi:

[tinnyguy1777]

32. Sheet Metal Workers International Local 18

Hello Brother-----Keep up the good fight-------

[bobthedrummer]

36. I see you're a fellow Badger too.

Hi brother!
:hi:

[davsand]

33. Howdy to you too!

This is a union household and we are proud of it! I can't imagine living any other way...

I spent three high quality hours with hubby today working on a mailer for the CLC--and I've got about three more hours of design work ahead of me tonight on an ad for the local Building Trades Council... It is a simple theme--Union YES!!!!

The one I didn't get to use? Unions--the folks who brought you the weekend! ;)

Laura

[bobthedrummer]

37. Howdy sister!

:hi:

[MrSlayer]

34. Greetings from an I.B.E.W. Local 98 member.

United we bargain, divided we starve.

[bobthedrummer]

39. I had no idea that you are one of us!

:hi:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

35. Howdy! from a former IAM-AW member

My dad was a Machinist in a tool shop for 27 years, treasurer and then president of his local...then an organizer for the last 14 years of his life. He and my mom were proud, active Democrats and raised us the same. Ah the memories...the picket lines, the death threats, the Commie smears, the subpoenas we kids were taught to never accept when we answered the door...great memories! :D

I worked in a couple union factories making money for school. No union in my industry but in affiliated ones, and I won't work for any outfit who doesn't uphold agreements with them.

Milwaukee rocks! A great Labor town!

:hi:

[bobthedrummer]

41. I was IAM from 1971-76.

BTW, aren't you married to The Magistrate?
Love your handle!
:hi:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

51. Yep, he's my honey

MmmmmmmMagistrate :loveya:

Thanks for the compliment!

[Bombero1956]

42. I'm proud too

26 year member of the International Association of Fire Fighters local 648.

Fire Fighters for Kerry!!!

[bobthedrummer]

45. A good friend of mine is also a Milwaukee Fire Fighter/IAF

true heroes!
:hi:

[Whitacre D_WI]

38. American Federation of Musicians Local 1000.

:hi:

[bobthedrummer]

40. How's it going in your neck of the Wisconsin woods?

:hi:

[Whitacre D_WI]

43. Wonderful!

It will rain, and then snow, tomorrow!

[dmr]

44. AFSCME

:hi: Howdy! :)

Dad was an active UAW. He was severly beaten alongside Walter Reuther in Flint, Michigan.

My dad told me a lot of stories just so I would understand that the working conditions of today (this was 30 years ago) is because men fought like hell to get out of hell.

[bobthedrummer]

48. A lot of working men and women have been bloodied here.

A lot of kids don't have any idea what they went through.
Working people are being killed worldwide for organizing today.
:hi:

[eyesroll]

46. Former terrorist here!

NEA student affiliate, 1996-1997; NEA professional member (Racine, WI), 1997-1998.

:hi:

[bobthedrummer]

49. Another Wisconsinite!

:hi:

[Lizz612]

47. Will be Union this summer!!

Carpet, Linoleum, resilient Tile Layers, Terrazzo Workers and Finishers Local #596. I'm gonna be BUFF by the end of the summer! I'm just hauling for $9.21 an hour, but its honest work and they need women on this job site, especially since it gets city money.

[bobthedrummer]

50. Glad to meet you, sister!

:hi:

[TOhioLiberal]

53. Former member of

UFCW Local 911!

Trekkerlass