Hi, here we are sliding along through February and I do mean sliding.  Last report I saw, we have over 75 inches of snow on the ground.  I guess that makes the snowmobilers and skiers happy, but not me.

 

Politics are quite hot right now.  It seems that everyone wants to be president of this great country of ours.  I hope you are all registered to vote.  It is one of the biggest responsibilities and privileges we have. There are a lot of countries that don’t have this right. 

 

I have an article here that was written by one of our own, who a lot of you know.  His name is Fred Geskus, who was a committeeman back in 1984.  It is titled, “What If Nobody Was There”.  He goes on to say that there are a lot of our members who resent the leadership of our union being involved in politics, but let’s look at what our union and its leadership have to gain by our involvement.  We gain employment protection, a safe workplace for our members, (even those who are not union), and seek social justice for all people.

 

·        What if it was 1994 and the unions had been eliminated and broke to the point where they no longer were unified? 

·        What if the large conglomerates, large industries, banks, insurance companies, and special interest groups had managed to get people elected to Washington and Lansing who support only their ideas?  Then suppose the congress said the government would no longer require companies to continue to contribute to social security or to provide unemployment benefits or workers’ compensation, or ceilings on interest rates?  Suppose congress said we are no longer going to use taxes for pension guarantees, Medicare, food for the hungry, the government agencies who protect our civil rights, and they eliminate the Labor Department?

·        What if the gas companies and electric companies were going to double our rates, and the union had no one to send to the hearings because they were not allowed in politics?

·        What if the elected officials of the special interest groups passed a law that said union contracts were illegal and there should be no minimum wage or overtime paid?

·        What if all these things came to pass because we, as a group of people, fell victim to the propaganda and the money influence in this country, and we had no one to tell the elected officials we wanted justice for ourselves and our fellow workers?  Would you be the one to write letters and keep informed on every issue, and take time to study candidates’ background and then take time from work to travel to Lansing and Washington to let them know?

 

Well, let’s get it straight.  We, the union, are involved for only one reason - and that is for our members’ protection and social justice.  We don’t hide the fact that we are involved in politics and what our goals are.  There are a lot of our members who have shown their support by signing the V-Cap checkoff deduction cards.  What if nobody did?  I hope you have, and if so, thank you very much.  If you would like to do so, see any officer about them.  Thank you Fred for the help in reminding us what is so very important for working families.

 

Next Meeting March 27

Our next meeting will be at noon Thursday, March 27.  We will have coffee, donuts, and a lot of good information.  Bring your spouse if you have one and come on in.  Hope to see you there.

 

April 1

I hope all of you in the south are having a great time. Most of you will be returning from warm climates April 1, all nice and brown.  Welcome back.

 

Please say your prayers for our sick and the families of our deceased: 

Blouw, Robert  1-28-08            

Freel, Michelle  1-19-08

Mattson, Roger  1-17-08

Myrt Gentry 1-11-08

 

Officially Retired February 1, 2008