So my little clerical union is joining the Teamsters union

[lunatica]

AFCME decided they were going to take us over and we want to fight the hostile takeover. The members will vote on joining the Teamsters Union in the next couple of weeks. My union is the Coalition of University Employees (CUE) in all 10 UC campuses and is run by the members. We're the clerical workers in administration. There's about 14,000 members state wide. We are without a contract and fighting tooth and nail to get one in the middle of the worst budget cuts in California which means there have been layoff and deep cuts in every department. Anyone paid through state funds has furlough days the number of which depends on our salaries. In the past we have always had to fight for a new contract for two or more years after the last one expires but we have always made gains. Our negotiators are members of the union and clerical workers.

Any advice or thoughts? Will it help us to join the Teamsters Union? Our elected officers seem to think it will make us 10 times stronger.

[lunatica]

1. No thoughts?

[a la izquierda]

5. Hmmm, I don't know, but I'm jealous...

we can't unionize in Oklahoma (I'm a grad T.A.). One whiff of unionizing and we're toast. I think I live in a "Right to Work" state-you know, you can be fired for pretty much no reason (like my husband recently was). So if we unionize, or I think even plan it, it's over.

[Brickbat]

7. "Right to work" means you cannot be required to join a union as a condition of employment.

"At-will employment" is what you're thinking of.

[a la izquierda]

13. Right, right! The concept is so shitty...

that I can't keep the two straight.

[lunatica]

9. The TAs at UC joined the UAW a decade or so ago

Every new Grad student Instructor that is hired is given paperwork with the option to join. It's in their contract with UC.

[hlthe2b]

2. I'll be interested to see the responses...

Historically, I would think the answer would be yes. The Teamster's power and strength would be an unquestioned advantage. Now, and in this climate, I really don't know.

[lunatica]

3. I have been fearing for my union since the economic disaster in California

UC is a behemoth and has an army of lawyers and negotiators who's sole job is to negotiate contracts down to a minimum of loss for them. Many of our gains have come from filing unfair practices against them. Usually they concede some things in the contracts just to get these filings off the books. They can keep the negotiations going for as long as they want. It really is a David and Goliath situation.

[Captain Hilts]

4. I was a CUE member in Canada. I think being a Teamster will help you. Safety in numbers and

grouped with predominantly male professions.

[Wapsie B]

6. As a former Teamster myself I say it's good that you're getting help with collective bargaining.

However I don't know what the Teamsters would do that's different from what AFCME would do. The way workers are being treated nowadays it's good to see employees fight back. My only concern about any union this day and age is that they're truly a voice of opposition to the bosses and not in bed with the companies.

[Brickbat]

8. I'd rather be a Teamster than a member of ASCME.

Because, damn, Teamsters!

[bobburgster]

10. Whar a name!

"Right to Work" is a classic example of republican shenanigans. When they choose names for bills that mean damn near the opposite of what they imply. I know there are many, I just can't seem to recall them. Hmmmm, "Clear Skies Initiative" was one of George W. Bushes...enough said.

[Toots]

11. The Teamsters hired scab labor to build their Union Hall in Houston Tx in 2001

They said Union Labor was too expensive... They also campaigned for Bush* and Republicans in 2004. So I say Fuck the Teamsters and the horse they rode in on.

[LiberalFighter]

12. That tends to be my feeling of them on the Intl level.

Locals are different.

[looloo]

14. Let's get us some Teamster mojo

The Teamsters Union endorsed Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic Nomination on Feb. 20, 2008. The Teamsters Union is one of the largest labor unions in the world.

So why not? Let's try the Teamsters. It might greatly improve the measly little clerical union's mojo & help to deal more effectively with UC. (the CUE leaders need to step up their game too however-smarten up please)

[looloo]

15. Teamster mojo might just be what the clericals can use right about now

The Teamsters Union endorsed Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic Nomination on Feb. 20, 2008. The Teamsters Union is one of the largest labor unions in the world.

So why not? Let's try the Teamsters. It might greatly improve the measly little clerical union's mojo & help to deal more effectively with UC. (the CUE leaders need to step up their game too however-smarten up please)