Making the 4C’s a Strong Union--Part II: Communication

For the 4C’s to be a strong union, there must be clear channels of communication open between our leaders and our members.

First, our leaders must be accessible.

Many of our current union leaders have been in office for decades, yet how many of you know them or even see them regularly on your campuses?

If elected, the New Leadership Slate will visit campuses and talk with our members. We must do this because our “system” really functions as twelve semi-autonomous fiefdoms in loose confederation with the System Office. Consequently, our contract language is applied thirteen different ways. Without clear communication, we will not understand the unique issues facing our members on their particular campuses. With clear communication, our union can act proactively rather than reactively. A proactive union is a stronger union.

Second, our union leaders must be willing to listen to member input.

As our current leaders prepared for our contract negotiations, they surveyed us for our contract priorities. Did you ever see the results reported? Why not? Did you know that enhanced job security was one of your top priorities? Despite this, when the New Leadership Slate’s members tried to make this a contract negotiation issue, our current leaders shouted us down and said members didn’t want enhanced job security.

If elected, the New Leadership Slate pledges to listen to, publicize, and to respect the input of our members. We will engage in online conversations with our members using our website. Surveys will be conducted, and results will be widely disseminated. Member priorities and ideas will be discussed at chapter meetings.

None of us have monopolies on knowledge or wisdom, and the New Leadership Slate understands that your input is crucial to making our union stronger.

Working together, we’ll do better.

NEXT: Making the 4C’s a Strong Union—Part III: Involving and Empowering our Members