Dear Sisters & Brothers:
I would like to take this opportunity to THANK the membership for granting me the continued privilege of serving as your President. I would also like to congratulate all the candidates, including my opponent, that ran for union office during the last election and who held themselves out to the membership seeking leadership positions. While I can’t honestly say that I enjoyed every aspect of the campaign, I can say with certainty that the conversations that occurred in the stations and at the work places between me and the membership was instructive and important. Again, while not always enjoyable, I am confident that those conversations and exchanges will make me a better leader and will serve to further strengthen our Proud Union!
Now that the election is over it is time for us all to get seriously to work on the important issues at hand. As you know, we are currently in negotiations with several of our Bargaining Units. As you also know, the state of the economy and other factors promise to make all of these negotiations among the most challenging that we have faced in nearly thirty (30) years. In that light, it is incumbent on the Leadership and the Membership to make certain that we are solidly unified in the singular purpose of achieving those ends necessary to protect the job security, benefits and economic well being of all of our members and their families. There is no doubt in my mind that the Membership is more than ready to respond to that call, and I assure you, as your President, that the Leadership is also ready.
I also want you to know that the views expressed across the membership were heard. Our Leadership Team has already begun to discuss and consider changes that can be incorporated into the way we conduct our regular business to ensure that we remain responsive to many of these membership views. Two of these changes will be implemented immediately:
I) In response to a nearly universal desire to broaden rank and file involvement in the various Labor-Management and Union Committees, I will be reviewing all committees during January and making new appointments. Information related to this process will be available on the web site (www.iaff42.org) so please make sure you are a registered user of our website.
2) Also, the membership was virtually unanimous in its desire to be able to see and talk to the Leadership informally at the Stations and Workplaces. In response, I am committed to regularly scheduling Station and Workplace visits throughout each month. We will also be scheduling more individual Shop Meetings. In addition, the Business Agents will be expected to regularly schedule and make Station and Workplace visits, and there will be a continued expectation that elected Board Members will regularly make their Districts.
We hope to make our efforts to enhance and improve our operations, with a focus on better communications, an ongoing process. In this regard, continued ideas and suggestions from the membership are welcome.
Again, thank you for your continuing Confidence and Support. I hope to see you at the next Union Meeting. In the mean time, if you have questions or concerns, please contact any of the Business Agents or feel free to contact me directly (816.509.4233 (Mobile);
Fraternally,
Louie A. Wright
LOUIE A. WRIGHT
President
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