If elected it is my intention to put up an
out of work list of all members with their layoff dates.
I would eventually like to network the Local
Union on a private network. So that all members have access to
information that is posted by the Local. Also members may make
suggestions which will be addressed at monthly meetings.
Also, for the out of town members it would
be a great advantage to have a 1-800 number so that the members
do not incur long distance charges.
One of the hard-fought issues in the Local
Union has been the appointment of stewards. It will be the job
of the Business Manager to appoint and supervise stewards. The
practice at the present time is to appoint the same stewards to
every job. Which I feel is unfair to the membership. This is stated
in section 1.09 of the Local Union 607 bylaws. This is a copy
of the following of the section:
Except as otherwise provided herein, members
on the out-of work list will be dispatched to work, where practical,
on the basis of: skills and ability to perform the work involved;
length of time unemployed; and proximity to the job site. Union
Stewards, Safety Representatives and Area Stewards may be referred
to work regardless of their position on the out-of-work list.
I feel that a more fair approach to the issue
is to form a steward pool. From where the Business Manager could
choose a Steward, and Safety Representative. There are enough
members in the Local who are qualified. I also believe that all
Stewards and Safety Representatives should be TRAINED before being
allowed in the pool. The pool should be rotated like the regular
list.
I also feel that the stewards should be elected
by the members to be allowed to serve as stewards.
We have to conduct business during regular
business hours. We can not dispatch during evening hours and weekends
unless it is an emergency.
It is unfair to dispatch on weekends and
after hours because no one is expecting the call.
All Pre-Job information should be posted
on a Bulletin Board in plain view for all members to see. In the
case of out of town members I believe that we need a network so
they have access to the same information.
I have voiced my opinion at the April meeting
that I am opposed to ballot box elections.
If elected, I intend to put to a vote of
the membership if a mail out ballot is a better option for the
members. I do not agree with the soliciting that goes on at the
polling stations.
Having gone before the Judges of Election
I have written a letter stating my opinion in regards to the way
the election is held. Perhaps the time has come where we could
all take part in this decision.
One of the reasons I am opposed to the ballot
box is because of the vast area we serve. It is a chore for some
of our members who live in rural areas to attend a polling station.
Also in this upcoming election some of our
members are going to be dispatched out of area on Pipeline work
and can not be accommodated by a polling station.
Sealed ballots could be delivered to them
on the job and they could mail them at their own convenience.
I believe a mail out is more convenient for
the members.
One of the issues that has disturbed me over
the years has been the Christmas Party.
I feel that the Executive Board should have
a party for its members perhaps we could set up a fund to do so.
The old way was to sell tickets but in years
when some of our members did not receive any or very little employment
from the Local Union because of severe economic conditions. I
found that selling tickets to be inconsistent with the spirit
of the season.
Perhaps the membership should have input
on how to do this it is certainly an issue that effects us all
and I feel that it is good for the morale of our membership to
have a Christmas Party.
At the present time and over the last few
years I have noticed that we are not having a Christmas Party.
If elected I would also like to change the
way meetings are held. I believe that a member should not address
the Executive Board he should address the membership. I propose
that a podium be built where a member could face and address the
membership.
The President of the Local Union could ask
the members if any one wanted to address the membership. At that
point all members who want to address the membership could approach
the podium and wait for their turn to speak.
At this time I am going to ask all members
to go out and voice your opinion I would like to say that this
is your Union.
In closing I would like to say that I believe
that we need changes the time has come to take a hard look at
the issues and voice your opinion. I do not think that I could
do this all by myself it will be the responsibility of all the
members to do so.
I have brought up a few issues that I feel
are important but I am sure that all members have quite a few
issues of their own.
If elected it will be my job to make sure
that the will of the membership prevail.
I will listen I will debate and I will act
on all of your requests.
At this time I would like to thank my brother
Robert Presenger who nominated me at the Local 607 nomination
meeting. And for believing in me every step of the way.
On the following page you will see the job
description of the Business Manager. Thank you
Please Contact:
807-626-3658 leave message
Gaetano Caruso