Our previous Western Region Coordinator used to say âBe careful what you ask for, you just might get it.â Those who are publicly taunting Mark Dimondstein when he is doing his best to represent all our members do him and us a disservice. Itâs one thing to disagree (I do my share of it) yet another thing to engage in what appears to be a personal attack. If this was a grievance I would deny it for lack of merit.
Weâve got a long way to go. A couple of weeks ago I talked with some of the Oakland striking teachers. I immediately noticed how well they all worked together and expressed pride in their union.
If we want respect from management, we have to give it to each other.
First Name: Juanita
Last Name: Boles
Email: jkboles@yahoo.com
Union/Local: APWU – Oakland CA
Office held if any: Legislative Director Retirees
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Oakland Ca
Office held, if any
Legislative Director Retirees
Frederick Ashley Jr.
Wise words.
For all of the protest the civil rights activists and baby boomers were involved in, we should have left your generation a strong union legacy. The generation before us won bargaining rights. They left us a 95% regular work force, bargaining rights, COLA (which has meant thousands of dollars added to our pay), and the no layoff clause. We found ourselves in the eighties fighting against employers demanding concessions. Working people turned on each other at times and the result has been a huge shift in wealth distribution in the US. In the seventies I was able to rent a nice apartment, buy a new car and had plenty of money left over. Canât do that today.
But there will come a day when working people will demand a change-you can see it in the determined faces of the hotel workers and teachers. And your generation will lead the way.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU - Utica, NY
Office held, if any
President