The United Rubber Worker publication: URW September/October 1991 (Vol. 57/No.5)
A few days ago, I met a person who had been a Kelly/Springfield Tire employee at the Tyler, Texas plant. They were surprised to hear that my dad had been an educator/labor leader for the URW. It put me on the hunt for some of the old URW publications that were hiding in the attic.
The loss of my dad 13 years ago was and remains a difficult struggle. I have to admit that seeing photos of him lecturing left me in tears. He had so much to say but needed a longer life in which to say it. That being said, he is a driving force for The People's County.
"The URW Leadership Development Program"
"To set the stage for developing a viable and effective educational program for this international union, it is important to understand what is going on around us--the social, economic and political issues confronting us as working Americans.
Our daily lives are influenced by a global economy which affects the very survival of the American wage earner. This economy is different than anything we have experienced before. It threatens the overall quality of life of Americans in general. It determines whether we are employed, underemployed or unemployed...."
"Union Steward's Corner: Hints for Effectiveness"
"...There are two skills to becoming effective union stewards--listening skills and observation skills."
Listening Skills
"Listening with genuine interest is difficult to do. It is a skill that has to be developed. Generally we listen out of politeness and while a person is talking we are thinking about our response to the information that we have not completely heard--consequently we miss the message. One way to improve our listening skills is to take notes and occasionally ask the speaker for clarification and meaning. Verbally sum up what was said when the speaker finishes so that you both know what was said and what was meant.
This is a good tool to use in situations where your member is irate and is reading the riot-act to you. Taking notes means you are genuinely interested, it forces both of you to clarify the information, and the member feels somewhat confident that you are going to take action toward solving a problem. It also disarms the irate members. This is also a good tool to use in your interrelations with management personnel."
Observation Skills
"Observation skills also must be developed. What we must do is practice observing "people" behavior without forming conclusions. We are really not justified in making conclusions until we are reasonably sure that we have enough information. If the behavior is observed over a period of time and on numerous occasions, perhaps we can form a conclusion as to why something happens. Otherwise, we are on "shaky grounds." Be careful stewards, and keep up the good work!"
Afterthoughts
One of the most vivid visual memories I have of my dad is that he ALWAYS had a yellow legal pad within arms reach. I remember how it often irritated and amused me simultaneously. We couldn't have a discussion without taking NOTES! Was it effective? Absolutely! His "union" advice transcended the workplace, it was useful in everyday life.Jim Jesse was not just a great Union Leader, he was an insightful, inspirational man--a prophet of sorts who foresaw the directional demise of America. We live in that global economy to which he makes reference. Being employed is becoming increasingly more difficult. Lay offs are always looming. Unemployment is seemingly unavoidable.
It's nice to know that you come from the same basic union background as I. Just another coincidence that solidifies our relationship. Union builds solidarity and an attitude of service. My years as an organizer were justified by my feelings of service for the working man against the stonger trade shop owners and corporations. As I have aged and looked around I realize that someway, somehow I lost sight of America. The last few years the union no longer provided conscientious leadership of skilled labor. Times have now come for men to seek to reform the ways of the union and try to bring wages in line with experience. I have never been on the side of the company, but, when the cost of monkey labor exceeds the amount of pay for the common working man all of America ends up paying more for product than it is worth. Thus double digit inflation and children going to bed hungry. Now is the time for America to take care of Americans and look out for each other. To control the ecconomy wages have to be brought into line. Instead of ridiculous paychecks for putting a bolt in a hole, business needs to be spending more money on healthcare and hiring and training new employees. Concessions must be mad for the good of America.
ReplyDeleteGary - I believe that organized labor still has a place in America. Companies continue to hire part time employees who are not qualified for health care benefits. Unions did not allow this tactic. I have heard and still hear about "union dues" and "what do we get?" Well, one thing they GOT was health care--now that is a crisis in this county where 20 years ago it was just a problem. I think if you are an "employee" anywhere, you should be able to buy into that companies insurance plan--part time or not. Like you, I think that Union made goods got very expensive but now we are paying for the lack of those goods in other ways. Imports have become just as expensive. We have a government that does not want our country to be successful. Agricultural substities are catering to big business which equals no union (truckers--Teamsters--who transport, UFCW--United Food and Commercial Workers, farm an factory workers and so on. The union was also instrumental in providing a safe work environment or employees. This country has developed an elitist mentality--people think they are TOO GOOD to work. A lack of solidary has resulted in American being out of touch with reality. It's all about the individual. If we wanted to create a LABOR RENAISSANCE, we would invest in industries that actually make products--agriculture being one. We can grow ANYTHING in this country. And to think that people are unemployed and starving!
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