FACE-TO-FACE
— Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama meets PEF member James Close in
Washington in May where Close asked Obama and other candidates how they would
end the war in Iraq. Close was one of three several union members selected
nationwide by the American Federation of Teachers to query the candidates at a
meeting of the AFT Executive Board. Photo by Michael Campbell
What is or isn't work-related
To the Editor:
The question of PEF’s involvement in issues unrelated to work is one that often
arises at PEF conventions, particularly during debate on resolutions.
Since resolutions set the policy, priorities and direction for PEF — forming its
collective “conscience” — there is often strenuous debate over what issues
should properly constitute the purview of that conscience.
On its face, the question of involvement in issues not directly related to work
may seem a no-brainer. However, the real question that swirls the debate is how
to define just what is work-related and what is not.
The worst you can do, as happened at last year’s convention in Lake Placid, is
to unilaterally declare that all resolutions dealing with “world and domestic
affairs” are, by definition, of lower priority than the obvious bread-and-butter
issues such as union contracts.
That decision to move these issues to the bottom of the deliberative heap was
sparked by an extensive and heated debate at the prior year’s convention on a
resolution which asked the delegates to oppose the war in Iraq.
Those who think the war in Iraq has nothing to do with our jobs are dangerously
naive. When billions and billions of federal dollars are shunted to needless
foreign adventures, and federal funding for the program that employs you starts
to suffer, who can say that such events are not related to the business of PEF
and your livelihood?
A broader and more enlightened perspective on how world and national events
affect your job is a necessary and important perspective in these troubled
times.
JAMES E. CLOSE, Mechanicville
Hold leaders accountable
To the Editor:
PEF labor-management committee chairs, Executive Board members, division council
leaders and stewards are the foundation of PEF leadership in our individual
agencies. These are elected positions, and the people who hold them represent
the membership. They are not there to serve their own egos or agendas.
PEF members, hear me loud and clear: if you are not satisfied with your
representation, hold those people accountable. They answer to you, and you
should vote them out in the next election.
EBONY TYLER, New York
Stick to bread-and butter
To the Editor:
Reflection on 25 years of labor union experiences reveal the downside of labor
unions becoming involved in issues other than terms and conditions of
employment.
Extraneous issues lead to division of union members into two or more political
camps. PEF members feel alienated and abused by union officials if they do not
share the politics that get official union sanction. It is offensive to see
union resources support causes that are not job-related and that you personally
oppose.
Pursuit of the “big picture” lacks priority for union resources compared to the
bread-and-butter issues. Foreign and national political issues can affect PEF
members, but union involvement in these issues is not particularly helpful in
effectively representing union members.
When unions pick fights outside of their member’s immediate job interests, they
create enemies. Enemies can harm union members’ interests.
It is wise to pick one’s battles and even wiser to avoid conflicts when most job
interests are served through member unity.
Unions can use the “big picture” as cover for failure to achieve member
representational objectives. Blame nationally elected officials or political
parties, blame anyone in order to call members’ attention away from failed union
policies.
Lead through representing members’ vital interests. Member unity comes through
focused policies largely defined by wages and benefits.
Michael J. Birmingham, Kinderhook
The Communicator
Letters policy
We welcome letters to the editor about union issues and events relevant
to PEF's diverse membership.
All letters are subject to editing for space, fairness and good taste.
Please keep them brief (up to one page, double-spaced or a maximum of 250
words), and please include your name and phone number for verification.
Send letters to thecommunicator@pef.org:
The Communicator
Public Employees Federation
P.O. Box 12414
Albany, N.Y. 12212-2414
Email to Sherry Halbrook,
Editor or Darcy Wells, Editor-In Chief
The Communicator June 2007
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