What I get for $100 a month
Usually I do not look at my paystub because I shit bricks at all the money that gets taken out. But for this post, I actually had to look, and under my "voluntary contributions" (cough, sputter), are my union dues. The term "voluntary" supposedly means that I have a choice about whether or not I'd like to belong to the CTA, but it's never explained that way by union reps. It's more like "fill out these papers, turn them in on time, then watch your paycheck shrink". It wouldn't burn so much, but then I get told by "higher ups" that people who go to the union with issues are "troublemakers" and we should all go through "proper channels" with any grievances. Translation: Go to the union with caseload/workload issues, and I can make your life hell. To make matters worse, at voting time, I get the CTA "Voter Guide". Maybe some union members like this perk - a nifty little packet that tells educators what to think and how to vote. I don't like it. This packet recommends that I not vote for Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor, that I instead choose Angelides, who came off as a major slime-ball in the televised governor debate last week, and whose policies I don't agree with any more than I agree with the Governator's. The proposition that I'm to vote "yes" for (bonds for schools) is labeled in bold green lettering, and includes only information aimed at supporting the measure. The props that I'm to vote "no" for (parental notification of abortion, public campaign financing, and eminent domain) are labeled in bold red lettering and only state the the negatives of the measure. No information is given on opposing viewpoints for each measure. To top it off, on the back of the ballot, CTA has kindly included an absentee ballot so they can monitor my voting habits and be forewarned of any kind of independent thought on my part. How's that for getting what I pay for?
posted by Notta Wallflower at 5:55 PM
16 Comments:
Well, if you opt out, I hope you will also opt out of your next raise negotiated by the union. And when the state tries to cut back on your health benefits and the union holds them off, I hope you'll volunteer to take the reduced benefits since you didn't help pay the negotiators. ;-)
Honestly? When I was in a union I appreciated finding out from them what stances the union supported in an election and why. Did I take it for unbiased information? Of course not. There is plenty of information out there in the media for those purposes.
As we always said in the Northern California Newspaper Guild, it's coming from the people who brought you the weekend.
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> It wouldn't burn so much, but then I get told by "higher ups" that people who go to the union with issues are "troublemakers" and we should all go through "proper channels" with any grievances.
The union is a proper channel if the supervisors aren't responding to issues... especially issues that can get them sued. In any case, I don't think the union should be faulted for an employer's behavior.
On the other hand, I would fault the union for neglecting conditions for a portion of their constituency. From what I've seen, the union knows the ball is being dropped in this situation but the negotiators haven't made it a priority.
Kit - I can opt out, but then I'd wonder about my rights as a worker. I've never opted out, so I don't know what's involved.
Tessence - Quite honestly, I'm so fed up with being in a school district that, after this year, I won't need to worry about dealing with union issues. I get some benefits from being a union member, but the things that have counted, we have not been supported on.
As far as knowing their stance, I don't mind that. However, I do mind being told how to vote, which is exactly what this pamphlet did. That is BS - I've never been in a district that did that, until now. No one has ever been presumptuous enough to think that I can't read up on the issues myself and make educated decisions. The reason why I rail against union dues is because unions are big business. They make a TON of money from us and they support the majority. I agree - good things can come from unions, like decent health benefits (which rapidly decline in school districts each year), a decent amount of vacation time and sick leave (which has also decreased since I started in the schools), and a reasonable workday (on paper, since most educators put in way more hours than we actually get paid for).
However, other districts in CA have more rights for specialists. Most notably, caseload caps for speech therapists. I really don't care if they increase my pay by x% (which they did this year)- it's not going to make my caseload more manageable or make it so that my services are better. Caps have been brought up to our union each year by specialists, yet get "turned down" each time. So yes, unions are great for the masses. My argument is that unions are not so great for smaller groups within the masses. If they are not going to fight for issues that make my worklife reasonable, then I really don't care to hear how they'd like me to vote.
Howard - I've belonged to decent unions where I've actually seen firsthand the changes that specialists have asked for be fought for and implemented. It's not happening here. Something is wrong with that.
How nice of them to think for you. It leaves you lots of extra time to watch The Biggest Loser and Desperate Housewives!
L had to belong to the union at his last job. He paid $40/month while working at a wage that was $2 above minimum wage.
Every three years, when their new contract came up, the union rep negotiated a 3 yr wage freeze for the workers he represented.
L got regular raises at this job, despite the union, for doing a good job, and being a reliable worker.
For 14 yrs, L NEVER received ANY benefit from his $40/month!
We have a similar democratic system here.
Purring - That reminds me, how is your job going? You must be settled in by now. :-)
Laura - I talked with a few teachers today about it and there were mixed reactions. Most of them, though, didn't see the problem with it. :-/
TSHS - I was in a similar situation when I first started working. I was a checker at a grocery store and was part time. I paid union dues, yet did not receive any health/dental benefits. I just remember not making that much money to begin with. It's a little bit better now, but it's just depressing to see union dues increase, while our benefits decrease. Additionally, our raises do not make up for the rise in cost of living. Also, my caseload keeps rising, which means that even while I get paid more, I'm putting in more hours. Can you really count that as a raise? I think not.
Vest - I know, I know. I should quit my complaining because I'm definitely not the only one in this boat. At least you don't have to deal with that kind of stuff anymore. :-P
Notta, that's crazy. I always figured that unions seemed like a good idea but my experience with them have not been good. When ever I had a valid complaint they dragged their feet while another employee who should have rightly been fired gets to linger in their job due to union. I still have hope but I admit I am not joining any unions anytime soon.
Help may be on the way.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case from WA St that questions unions ability to spend their members dues anyway they see fit in the political arena.
As John "D Student" Kerry said on a talking head show last weekend when asked what the Democrat Party will do for America if they're in power, "stay tuned".
That's kind of crazy, actually. Thanks for pointing that out - I like to raise my eyebrows at something at least once a day!
Angelique - I don't think unions are totally useless, but I just have to question some things. I think it's because, when I was growing up, I didn't question things. I don't think I was ever encouraged to question anything (especially authority) until I was in grad school. Pretty sad, huh?
Anonymous - That's a step in the right direction, at least. It would be nice to know what "stay tuned" means...
Jay - Thanks for stopping by. :-)
Retirement for you may be far away, but you have to do what seems the best while you are at your best.
Vest - Yeah, that's why I'm in the middle of planning to start my own business. Life is too short to be as stressed out as I am.
My boyfriend has similar union issues - like union voting being conducted with little slips of paper and a cardboard box, so that anyone can dip a hand in and see how you voted. ;(
SME - I hear ya. Luckily, though, this particular union has voting a bit more private. I never worry about a co-worker seeing what I voted for. But I don't want the union seeing how I vote in general elections and such. It simply is none of their business.
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