[blockquote]
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On 2/1/2003 8:44:53 AM RV4 wrote:
Good Luck Bob,
Call the TWU International in New York, ask for publications and request copies of the "proceedings" of the 1989, 1993, 1997, and the 2001 TWU Constitutional Proceedings and copies of the President's Report.
Somehow get copies for ALL members to read. Instead of spending money on politicians, maybe you can get them to spend some money on informing the members of that which you and I already know about the Conventions. The members have to be notified and believe there is a problem before anyone ask them to fix it. How many really know the truth?
I cannot figure out how to activate members on matters which they have no knowledge of.
As for any leaders I elected. I was banned from voting or running because of a T-shirt I wore to work. Therefore, I elected nobody.
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[/blockquote]
If we mailed everyone copies how many do you suppose would actually read it? That would be more of a waste than trying to buy politicians. A motion to request that an accountable, accurate voting system where the members could review how thier delegates voted is not all that complicated or cumbersome. Its easy for the members to understand without having to go through the trouble of reading hundreds of pages of convention proceedings. If members want to read them all they need to do is request them. When we recieved copies of the 97 convention we provided copies to those who asked for them. We have not recieved the 2001 minutes yet. The fact is that, for better or worse, the members elect leaders to go through all this stuff and find a resolution to the problems. Transparancy is essential but the problem is that there is a lack of interest to the point that many do not even bother to look. While many leaders do get put in place having the best of intentions and lofty goals they all too often do get bogged down by Bull**** that are local issues that must be addressed. This prevents them from networking with other like minded locals to build a strategy for reform. There is also the problem that none of us are really pretrained for these positions and have to learn as we go. In conventional politics the party system provides support for green politicians. Often what happens in unions is that the local officers become dependant upon the International. Members often elect people and have unrealistic expectations, their demands often send them right into the arms of the International. Once that happens the chances for reform are minimal. Democracy is not a perfect system, the problem of apathy will always be there however apathy is often fueled by the fact that members/voters are not having thier issues addressed. Transparancy and accountability allow members to see what is going on and hold those responsible accountable. If we had an accountable voting system in place at the next convention then even those local leaders who had to turn to the International for assistance would find that they are still accountable to the members in how they cast thier votes. As it is now members take little interest in the Convention because they are so far removed from it and they have no way of holding anyone accountable. Without a means of accountabilty, why bother? There is nothing you can do about it. Gaining accountabilty from the delegates is the first step towards gaining accountabilty from the International.
On a related note, the Convention should be held somewhere in the Artic Circle so that there are no distractions from the business of the Convention. Las Vegas is a place that is full of distractions. It also does nothing to improve the image of unions when they hold thier Conventions in a city that was built on gambling, crime and prostitution.
----------------
On 2/1/2003 8:44:53 AM RV4 wrote:
Good Luck Bob,
Call the TWU International in New York, ask for publications and request copies of the "proceedings" of the 1989, 1993, 1997, and the 2001 TWU Constitutional Proceedings and copies of the President's Report.
Somehow get copies for ALL members to read. Instead of spending money on politicians, maybe you can get them to spend some money on informing the members of that which you and I already know about the Conventions. The members have to be notified and believe there is a problem before anyone ask them to fix it. How many really know the truth?
I cannot figure out how to activate members on matters which they have no knowledge of.
As for any leaders I elected. I was banned from voting or running because of a T-shirt I wore to work. Therefore, I elected nobody.
----------------
[/blockquote]
If we mailed everyone copies how many do you suppose would actually read it? That would be more of a waste than trying to buy politicians. A motion to request that an accountable, accurate voting system where the members could review how thier delegates voted is not all that complicated or cumbersome. Its easy for the members to understand without having to go through the trouble of reading hundreds of pages of convention proceedings. If members want to read them all they need to do is request them. When we recieved copies of the 97 convention we provided copies to those who asked for them. We have not recieved the 2001 minutes yet. The fact is that, for better or worse, the members elect leaders to go through all this stuff and find a resolution to the problems. Transparancy is essential but the problem is that there is a lack of interest to the point that many do not even bother to look. While many leaders do get put in place having the best of intentions and lofty goals they all too often do get bogged down by Bull**** that are local issues that must be addressed. This prevents them from networking with other like minded locals to build a strategy for reform. There is also the problem that none of us are really pretrained for these positions and have to learn as we go. In conventional politics the party system provides support for green politicians. Often what happens in unions is that the local officers become dependant upon the International. Members often elect people and have unrealistic expectations, their demands often send them right into the arms of the International. Once that happens the chances for reform are minimal. Democracy is not a perfect system, the problem of apathy will always be there however apathy is often fueled by the fact that members/voters are not having thier issues addressed. Transparancy and accountability allow members to see what is going on and hold those responsible accountable. If we had an accountable voting system in place at the next convention then even those local leaders who had to turn to the International for assistance would find that they are still accountable to the members in how they cast thier votes. As it is now members take little interest in the Convention because they are so far removed from it and they have no way of holding anyone accountable. Without a means of accountabilty, why bother? There is nothing you can do about it. Gaining accountabilty from the delegates is the first step towards gaining accountabilty from the International.
On a related note, the Convention should be held somewhere in the Artic Circle so that there are no distractions from the business of the Convention. Las Vegas is a place that is full of distractions. It also does nothing to improve the image of unions when they hold thier Conventions in a city that was built on gambling, crime and prostitution.
