|
There are five main questions to consider when policies move from the conference table to the bargaining table. The following questions are for discussion.
Question 1:
As union activists we do not expect much from employers. We rely on the bargaining process and legislation to limit their actions. We act as a counterbalance to the power of management, which allows both parties to create and maintain workplaces that are both economically viable and socially sustainable. Our success or failure in limiting the powers of management is directly linked to the solidarity that we can build within our locals and within the Union as a whole.
Why does the union adopt bargaining policies?
- To establish standards that the union believes every member should enjoy – in effect, to override individual local union priorities in the interests of the membership of the union as a whole;
- To introduce innovations into local collective agreements; or
- To further the role of the institution of the Steelworkers in its core function – collective bargaining.
Question 2:
As union activists we strive to make improvements not only in the lives of our members and their families but also in society as a whole. Experience has shown us that the more widespread an improvement becomes the easier it is to negotiate into our agreements. While collective bargaining is never easy, innovation usually occurs in workplaces were the Union plays a leading and far-reaching role and management recognizes the Union’s legitimate role as the collective voice of its membership. However, we must also strive for innovations in workplaces were management does not recognize the value of the union as an institution. Based on these realities we need to decide:
Who sets bargaining policies:
(at which level) National? District? Sectoral? Regional? Director? Delegated body?
Question 3:
As union activists we know that our true strength comes from working together within our Union and working with our partners, both within and outside the labour movement. We acknowledge that the bargaining policies we adopt are intended to improve the lives or our members and society as a whole.
What is the role of National Policy Conference "decisions" or other policy-setting bodies?
- What are we doing?
- Are we establishing firm policies?
- Suggesting goals and objectives?
- Providing educational material to local unions and bargaining committees?
Question 4:
As union activists we hope that the policies we adopt are more than just words on paper. Our goal is to see these policies are eventually implemented. However, we do not always follow through on implementing bargaining policies.
How do we ensure that the policies we adopt are actually implemented?
- Who is responsible for implementation?
- How are those who are responsible held accountable?
- How do we balance the institution’s view that certain issues are important to the membership of the Steelworkers as a whole with the autonomy of local unions?
Question 5:
The founding principles of the United Steelworkers are democracy and local union autonomy, and they clearly distinguish us from other unions. As union activists we occasionally find that our members are complacent on the issue of introducing adopted bargaining policy and we fail to put the policy on the bargaining table or we table it only to drop the proposal early into the bargaining process. While this approach gives the appearance of having tried, it clearly does not allow us to meet our goals.
How do these policy priorities find their way to the bargaining table?
- Does the Union, as a central institution, have a role in establishing bargaining priorities at the local level?
- What needs to be done at the local union level to get these issues to the table?
- What support do local unions need to get these issues to the table?
How do we get these priority policies into collective agreements?
- What needs to be done at the local union level to win these gains at the table?
- What support do local unions need to win these issues?
- What is the role of the union as an institution in collective bargaining?
|
CONFERENCES
