Union shop President looks other way.

Howslyf · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 1 Location: chicago

I have only been in the union for 9 months and I see the way the union president in our shop looks the other way when the workers are being treated like s***, and I would like to know if we can have him removed and another person put in his place? Or do we have to deal with him for 2 more years? Terms of contract are not being followed and he allows it to happen, says the only thing our dues do for us is allow us to work there. What kind of president is this?Seems the company has him in there back pocket. Look forward to any advise on this matter, Thank you.

OrganizingAdvocate · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:31 pm Post subject:

[color=blue:5e59b272b8]Hi Howslyf,

You're correct, the manner which you described your elected union President as behaving is completely innapropriate. In order to determine whether he may be recalled you may need to consult your local union contitution and bylaws as well as your international office's constitution and bylaws. There should be language within at least on of them which details under what circumstances the membership may choose to recall and replace an elected official. You may also receive this information by calling the international office.

Fraternally,

Dustin
OrganizingAdvocate
Unions.org[/color:5e59b272b8]

IAM726 · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Calif.

It may be some help. there have been cases where the union leadership has been unresponsive to members. Those members attend meetings to qualify for nomination, then they control the union, and remove the precieved problem.
Get your co-workers together. Go to the meetings! The president cant miss you there. If he still doesnt react. then you have already made your first step to leading the members.
the sad fact is unless your by-laws provide for some way to remove him, you may be stuck with him till then.

BattleOutWest · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 31

Get the union bylaws changed.

Ad other executive positions as a Steering Committee, like a VP, a treasurer, secretary, and possibly a chief steward.

Have it in the bylaws such that a president's decisions alone won't speak for a union and that a majority of Steering Committee members must vote in favor of some union position.

Have it in the bylaws that the president can't make unilateral decisions with management, and that labor/management issues must be either brought to the Steering Committee or the membership as a whole for approval.

fedup soontob exteamster · Joined: 10 May 2007 Posts: 1 Location: il

this is nothing new they are all on the take as a local 179 member we repeatedly call the hall for the same non union trucks and scab drivers but they refuse to even show up at most they will call the company and tell them to put good trucks on job so they can come out and card trucks to look good

chuck · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Harrisburg,pa

My experience with unions (local 214 carpenters) is very brief and i have to say that so far i am very sorry i ever got involved with them. The union project manager on site is corrupt, i have made the local aware of his actions and have not heard from them on the matter at all. It's a very simple matter, why did he hire a nonunion worker, give him a journymen title and wages and promised him union membership for a fee.It's time people start doing something about people abusing their positions!