Word: huctw
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...number of HUCTW members, of which I am one, had long been concerned about both the progress and process of contract negotiations. We had heard disturbing reports from our elected negotiators about union leadership pressure on them to limit their contract demands and to adopt a conciliatory style towards the University negotiators. A number of elected union negotiators had resigned in protest over undemocratic processes. We brought our concerns about this to Kris Rondeau and Marie Manna in a letter, which was followed up by a face-to-face meeting and round table discussion in April. In addition...
When the contract summary appeared on the morning of June 26, a group of approximately 10 HUCTW members, activists and former contract negotiators met to study and discuss it. We were appalled by the three-day limit for examining the contract. We had serious questions about the strength and adequacy of the contract to support union members over the next three years in the face of Boston area costs of living and the threat of a national recession. We were outraged that no public debate was permitted the membership until after the voting on June 29. We wrote a collective...
...harassed by union staff and organizers. I was called at various times a coward, a traitor and a fraud. Our statement, taped to the walls, was torn down and efforts were made to intimidate me into leaving the area. I was told I am not a proper, loyal HUCTW member and I am no longer wanted in the union. Every possible pressure short of physical violence was brought to bean against me. Voters attempting to read out statements were taken aside by Union staff and instructed to ignore it on the grounds that we were a small group of cranks...
...leaders toward the membership, and the membership's acceptance of that attitude. Our leaders are manipulating us, and we are mired in the old pre-union habit of waiting for someone else to tell us what to do and think. Instead of Holyoke Center, we now wait for HUCTW staff to arrange our working lives for us. Union leadership must serve, not usurp, membership authority. We must empower our leaders to represent us, not replace us. If we will only do as we are told on union matters, we do not deserve a voice in those matters. If we wait...
...recall and accountability for leadership positions and decisions. And most of all, we must start turning to each other and our own selves--ordinary rank-and-file members--for ideas, inspiration and ultimate authority. We are the union. Let's start acting like it. Tamsey K. Andrews Member, HUCTW Widener Library