In the Near future the employer will be putting out a memo to inform you of what their truth is about what is happening at the table. At times like this I like to bring back an old mantra that one of our former directors used to use "Perception is Reality". The explanation that he used to give for this statement was this, that if people think something is true, it really doesn't matter if it really is true. The belief that it is true, is enough. We must all keep in mind that there are two sides to everything. There is a side that they want you to know and a side that they don't.
You picked the negotiators for their inelegance, and there commitment to the members as a team. The employer will more than likely paint a picture that the union is being unreasonable. But there is one thing that you all must remember, you are the union and you are part of the team.
The people that we have working here are all good people, we have single mothers, fathers, mothers, students the list goes on and on. The team that you have put into place, is looking out for your interests and the interests of your families. The employers interests are all business related and related to the bottom line, we are all numbers.
It is a recognized fact, in any conflict that a person that stands for and defends their rights and the ability to provide for their family, is a far more formidable opponent then someone who has nothing to lose. The people that sit across the table from us have nothing to lose. We have the power here, all we need to do is recognize it.
The union is currently working on a response to this memo and it will be out shortly. In the mean time consider the source of any negative information that you hear and weigh it carefully.
