Summary of Membership Meeting Nov. 25, 2009

I know these aren't the greatest copies, but I have posted a download link in the union folder on the right hand side panel of this Blog. Click where it says union and look for a link that say membership meeting minutes.

Cell Phones

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the new cell phone package that was tabled and passed at our last general membership meeting. From what I have heard the big issue is the cost of the plan that was chosen. I have also heard many say that they don't really need to have cell phones at all.
Well as a person who has held four positions in this local, I can tell you that they are necessary. We work in a twenty four hour operation, as members of a union we should also have access to our representation twenty four hours a day. If for example a serious incident involving us occurs, ie. Minor on the gaming floor, upper levels of management are immediately notified regardless of the time. We also should have this ability. If there is a problem that requires immediate attention I should be able to contact all members of the executive with the push of a button , the same way our management team does. Many believe that the expenditure is not worth what we are getting. The process that was used was above board and transparent, and was voted on by general members of this local. The motion for the phones was tabled, voted on, and passed. I believe that this expenditure is worth every penny that is going to be spent on it. Simple reason being, that is what I pay union does for. My rights are worth every penny that this is going to cost. Why should my executive, for my union, not have the best possible tools to do the job that they were elected to do.?

As with any expenditure of cash there needs to be strict guidelines and conspicuous transparency. All of the unions financial books must be made available, and the bills for the these phones must be made public and posted for all to see.

I think it is also very unfair to saddle this executive with mistakes that were made in the past. This is almost a completely new group and they should be given the opportunity to show what they can do. The ironic thing here is that everyone in this local wants the benefits of a collective agreement and all the protection it provides, but they refuse to understand that everything has a cost. For me personally I would rather have an executive that has the Cadillac of communication devices with all the bells and whistles than an executive that dosnt, have any communication at all.
Also I can tell you from experience that I have submitted cell phone charges that were in the hundreds of dollars. So consider that I used my own hydro, paper, internet service, cell phone, car, fuel, and not to mention personal time away from my own family. All of these services came out of my own pocket, and way less than half of which I was reimbursed for. In a nut shell, I believe that this expenditure is justified and necessary for the operation of our local, provided that the proper financial safe guards and transparent accountability practices are in place.
"Freedom Is Not Free"