Weak local.

[Movementarian]

There seem to be many of you here that are quite familiar with the inner workings of the union. I was hoping that you may be able to give some tips and advice on how to strengthen up a weakish local.

Thanks in advance.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

First, you have to have an interested membership.

[Movementarian]

That could be a problem. I think that many have lost faith due to previous mismanagement, which is not be indicitive of recent union administrations but is a hurdle they have yet to overcome.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

It will take a crisis of some kind or some very poor, even by BOP standards, managers to energize the membership I'm afraid.

With an energized membership, natural leaders will step forward providing a workforce for the E-Board to delegate tasks to. Without that, you'll either have an E-Board that doesn't do much, or an E-Board that tries to do too much and ends up burning out.

[Movementarian]

That is definitely the trend here. Thanks for the insight.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Wait until KBCraig gets warmed up. You'll see some insight then.

[Movementarian]

I can't wait.

[shakedownshorti]

What's the old saying,"Out with the old and in with the new!"

[gijanetexas]

Weak locals, hummm? First, do not get mad and drop out. Your dues still support the regional and national union causes. Attend union meetings. Read all that union propaganda crap, you might learn something. Get a copy of your Master and Local agreements. Volunteer to become a steward or run for local office. Attend union caucuses and other union training on your own A/L if you have to. Dime out management when they do wrong, officially. Sign your name to it. Offer to testify at arbitrations. Write grievances for your local. When the OIG, OIA, SIA wants to interview staff, be a rep. And when they try to scare you with "It's a criminal investigation and you could be called as a witness" and you stay anyway because your person does not want a lawyer even though you have told him to get one. Lobby your political officials for change. Keep abreast of proposed legislation affecting your working conditions and pay. My duties as 2nd VP and steward have involved all that I have mentioned, plus I have stayed on my own time many times to be a representative for staff on E/W on my own time, plus I purchase all the soda's for the union meetings and haul them to the union house, plus purchasing the food for the meetings, and plus cleaning up after the meetings (and I clean the toilet). Instead of spending my spare time at work sucking up to management for a QSI, I go to meetings with the Warden, AW, Captain, HRM, Safety Manager and various other members of management to serve as an advocate for the bargaining unit members. Did I mention the sheer joy of being a EEO rep for the union? The list goes on forever and my advice is when you think your local is weak, look in the mirror first. But I am certainly not perfect. You learn and grow and improve as time goes on, so a weak local can be turned around into a powerful force against management if the members want it that way.

[Movementarian]

I have to join before I can drop out, I haven't been working here long. I have tried to obtain information on what the union is doing and how to join, but information has been hard to come by. I asked about weak local because most everyone I talk to says that our is. There was time scheduled for the Union to speak with us during IF but no one showed. I have gotten more information here than I have from anyone that works at my institution.

Cheers for the information. I am going to be a bit more persistent about getting information from the local and once I am passed my probationary year, I will try to get more involved.