Details: Created on Monday, 31 October 2011 17:19

Dear Members: Perhaps the greatest sign of the troubled economy we all face every day can be seen in the number of workers who “give up” and drop out of their local union or association. Sadly, we see it at the PBA/PEA as do our colleagues all over the country. But stop and think about what that means. For starters, it means you are choosing to let management win. By dropping out, you give management exactly what it wants. The fewer members with which it has to deal, the easier it will be to impose its will on you and have it go unchecked.

Secondly, it means you have decided to risk your career and “hope” that the next round of workplace discipline, layoffs, benefit cuts or wage reductions will elude you. Maybe you’ll be correct. But what if you’re not?

We often encourage members to think of their monthly dues as an insurance policy. You hope you never need to use it, but it provides peace of mind in case you need to. Our full-time staff, two in-house attorneys and I are here for you every day and take our jobs of protecting you future very seriously. While economics are presenting new challenges to us day in and day out, we will not stop speaking up for you when it comes to your career. It’s that simple.

So next time you encounter a co-worker who says they are thi

nking of dropping out, ask them if it’s really worth the risk? Ask them if they realize they are doing exactly what some in management or administration would like them to do? If they answer both of those questions with a “yes”, pat them on the shoulder and wish ‘em the best when the next storm blows through. If they answer “no” to either of those questions, remind them of the ramifications of the decision they are about to make. As a team, we can persevere during these difficult times. As a family, we can grow stronger and stay united for the next battle, which is always just around the corner.

Best wishes,
Vincent L. Champion