Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Some of you may have received an email from Athena Consulting's Melissa Pappas with well-worn anti-union "Q & A" nonsense.
We answer the nonsense being spread by Athena below.
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The Cost of Being in a Union
Being in a union will cost us all the ability to communicate freely. Open communication will not be allowed to exist in a union environment as union members must go to union representatives to discuss wages and working conditions.
In addition to costing us our ability to easily and openly communicate, there are financial costs too. Below I have outlined what you can expect being a part of a union.
The Truth:
This is clearly not true, but an argument that even the WalMart people use to try to keep unions out. You can talk about your wages and working conditions and you should talk about them, especially if you are dissatisfied. Once you have a union in place, there will be shop stewards who are your coworkers who can help you get problems in the workplace resolved if management isn't being responsive to your issues. And your union contract will address wages and working conditions as well. Just ask the Montgomery County employees working beside you.
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Question:
Does it cost money to be a member of a union?
Athena's answer:
Yes. In fact, over a period of time it can cost a great deal of money. Unions survive on the money they receive from their members in the form of dues, fees, fines and assessments. That is why they want you to become a member of their union.
The Truth:
Yes, you will pay dues to the union. Dues help us get you the best contract possible. And once we've secured that contract for you, it helps us enforce the contract. You are buying a great value when paying dues. You are buying the wages, benefits and protections that will be guaranteed by your contract once you have the union in place. Here's our union's business model: By sharing resources, including financial resources, our members make better lives for themselves and their families.
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Question:
What are union dues?
Athena's answer:
Dues are money you pay to "belong" to a union on a monthly basis.
The Truth:
This is true.
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Question:
What are initiation fees?
Athena's answer:
In addition to the monthly dues they will be receiving, plus and fines they can assess, you also have to pay an initiation fee to join.
The Truth:
We don't charge an initiation fee to newly organized bargaining units. You wouldn't be charged an initiation fee.
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Question:
What are union fines?
Athena's answer:
Fines are charged against members by unions for violations of rules of the union constitution and bylaws. For instance, you may be fined for crossing a picket line, failing to attend a union meeting, or for conduct unbecoming a union member. When a union member is found guilty of having committed an offense, most unions "discipline" members by fining them for the offense.
The Truth:
Our bylaws ( http://www.mcgeo.org/bylaws/) have clear disciplinary procedures in place, but we've never "disciplined" a member for failing to attend a union meeting or other such nonsense. We don't want you to cross a picket line, because that is disrespectful to the working folks who are trying to better their lives and we respect our fellow union brothers or sisters. And we will encourage you not to cross a picket line for any reason. That said, most most of our units are public employee units, and there are "no strike" clauses in those contracts so you wouldn't likely come across a MCGEO picket line unless something changes.
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Ask yourself: if a union is not useful for employees, why do employers fight so hard to keep it out?
Clearly Athena cannot answer that question truthfully and is using falsehoods and half-truths to scare you from seeking representation.
This blatant attempt to coerce you against voting for Local 1994 has resulted in us filing an Unfair Labor Practice Charge against Athena. This intimidating email is just the first of their efforts, we're sure, to pressure you to vote against the union. I urge you not to fall for their anti-union rhetoric, nor to be intimidated. Just ask some of your Montgomery County co-workers about the benefits of being a Local 1994 member.
If you have any worries, please call me at at (202)-207-5787, Donald Minor (804)-869-3260 or Alejandro Miranda (202)-341-3455.
In Solidarity,
Raymun Lee
Associate Coordinator of Organizing
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