More Orwellian word choices from my beloved union
Recent email from my beloved UAW 2865:
From: UAW 2865 Berkeley <berk...@uaw2865.org> To: xxxx...@xxxxx.com Subject: Healthcare Bargaining Update; Straw Poll on Demands Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 16:23:22 +0000 (UTC) Dear UAW Local 2865 member, We are writing to update you on the current state of bargaining with the UC over our healthcare benefits. On May 17, the University abruptly broke off negotiations over implementation of a systemwide GSHIP that is to take effect before the end of our current contract. The systemwide GSHIP contains many positive features and we are pleased that the UC has accepted many of our recommendations. However, we feel strongly that further improvements can and must be made, especially with regards to dependent healthcare benefits. To this end, we will continue to bargain with the University for dependent-care-coverage remissions in our full contract negotiations. In continuing negotiations, we will continue to demand a systemwide GSHIP that includes (1) the participation of all ten campuses, (2) a benefits package that is strong enough that all campuses feel it is in their best interest to participate in the plan, and (3) a consistently high quality of healthcare across all campuses. Moreover, we continue to maintain that the university must bargain any changes that would occur after September 30, 2010 (the expiration of our current contract). In order to achieve these goals as we transition into bargaining over the full contract, we are taking a straw poll to reaffirm our members’ commitment to our position regarding GSHIP. Polling began Monday, May 24, and will end on Thursday, May 27. Furthermore, as we move into the full contract negotiations, we will have a bargaining kickoff event to demonstrate the importance of our working conditions on the learning conditions of UC students. This event will take place on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 from noon to 1pm across all UC campuses. We will continue to bargain over GSHIP in the successor contract negotiations based on your reaffirmed commitment. Polling is happening through member-to-member organizing (on campus, on the phone, etc.). If you want to weigh in via email, please reply no later than midnight on Thursday. Please include your full name with your response. Poll language: We support UAW 2865’s position that (1) a systemwide GSHIP must have a benefits package that is strong enough that all campuses feel it is in their best interest to participate in the plan, and that (2) the quality of healthcare should be consistent at all campuses. We also support UAW 2865’s position that the University shall not make any changes to GSHIP after September 30, 2010 without agreement from UAW 2865. Stay tuned for more detailed information on our planned actions. To find out how you can be involved, please contact your campus office. In solidarity, UAW Local 2865 Bargaining Committee Molly Ball, Davis Recording Secretary Kelly Burns, Santa Barbara Recording Secretary Jorge Cabrera, Santa Barbara Chair Josh Cho, Irvine Chair Evelyn Fidler, San Diego Chair John Gust, Riverside Recording Secretary Des Harmon, Los Angeles Recording Secretary Nick Kardahji, Berkeley Recording Secretary Jessy Lancaster, Santa Cruz Recording Secretary Juliette Lunger, Los Angeles Chair Brian Malone, Santa Cruz Chair David Selby, San Diego Recording Secretary Jessica Taal, Berkeley Chair Bron Tamulis, Irvine Recording Secretary David Willhoite, Riverside Chair Jesse Woo, Davis Chair -------------------------------------------------------------------------- UAW 2865 Berkeley 2070 Allston Way, Suite 205 Berkeley, CA 94704 phone: (510) 849-1628 / fax: (510) 549-2514 berk...@uaw2865.org / www.uaw2865.org mail-list.com 1302 Waugh Dr. #438 Houston, Texas 77019 USA This message was launched into cyberspace to xxxx...@xxxxx.com
Uh, really? When you call something “straw poll”, don’t you usually have more than one choice? I understand that this “straw poll” would be nonbinding (as all straw polls are), but what they are trying to do here is not get a genuine level of support from UAW 2865 members. What they are trying to do here is goose up fake support (esp. goosed up by union mobs carrying clipboards on campus throughout this week) and call it a “poll”. This sounds more like the poll they conduct in North Korea. You know, vote for Secretary Kim as the new secretary, or don’t vote at all.
Well. I remember what happened last time I signed something than looked innocuous from my beloved UAW 2865. They turned the statement into vicious bullying demands while retaining my name among the signatories. And this statement doesn’t even look innocuous right from the start, so it’s clear what I should do—rip up the paper if anyone hands me one to sign.
P.S. There’s only one thing I want out of GSHIP: I want to be able to opt out of it (and keep the benefits as actual dollars, reduced for tax if necessary). Frankly, I don’t like the pool I am in as a participant in GSHIP, and I can do far better on my own (even after the tax penalty) outside the system.