OK, here's my thoughts. Unions need a major overhaul.
First, the members must get more involved. They must attend meetings, read all the literature they can get their hands on. Learn their labor history. VOTE in every election.
Hold your union leadership accountable. I believe the Teamsters had a movement within their ranks called "TDU" Teamsters for a Democratic Union. I don't know if it's still alive, but if you are considering a vote for IBT, check it out.
The IAM needs to get out of past and into the future. That fight in PHL was a disgrace. The IAM should have issued a statement of some sort as soon as the facts were in. The men involved should have been at the very least suspended and at the most, expelled. If they were indeed office holders, they should have been discharged of their duties immediately.
Frankly, I like was Andy Stern of the SEUI is trying to do. It seems he wants to break away from the old way of doing things.
I think the AFL-CIO has become a relic of the past. I can't think of one thing the AFL-CIO has done for us, the workers of America, lately.
Outsourcing continues at an alarming rate, CEO pay in comparsion to the average worker is outrageous, especially for those CEO who have led their companies into bankrupty and then bailed on that oh-so-golden parachute.
That said, I don't think your average American worker can stand to be without union representation in these times.
What we have to make the union leadership work for us. Return our phone calls. Meet with us in the break rooms. Don't forget they come from the shop floor and their first loyalty has to be to the membership.
Don't let our leaders get sucked into the management mode. You know, management convinces them the membership is stupid but "they" are now part of the "club."
There must be a close accounting of expenses. Union officers and staff deserve a fair pay. They should work hard for us. But they shouldn't be allowed to double-dip or raid the slush fund at will.
If caught using membership dues for other than membership business, they need to be given the boot. And never allowed to hold another union office, ever.
The worst thing that could happen to any of us, at this time, is not getting enough votes so a decertification takes place.
Study the issues, ask questions, get answers and VOTE what you think best.
Best of luck to us all!
Dea