Thu, 15 Jul
I’ve been reading all this Email, and I think the practice of “Double Back” has been effectively beaten to Death.
Let me introduce a new topic that I believe is basic today and pivotal for the future of our Great Union. The topic I speak of is Public Relations (P.R.). In essence, PMA’s newish leader (Slick Joe) is in effect a Washington Belt-Way Spin Master and has been for years before darkening our door steps. That should tell us all something. What we are presently facing is only the beginning. The continual quotes of the following give us perhaps a flavor of future deceit:
1. Lower than real productivity... Gross Tonnage vs Gross Container count analysis... As we’re all aware an easy to use numbers analysis which amounts to an intentional lie, a lie that only we and PMA fully understand, and not the media in general or the public in the communities in which we all live.
2. Very high average income figures voiced by “Joe and his Boys” to any and all media willing to listen. As most everyone is aware, the figures quoted are all on the very high side, and represent those workers who choose to work continually instead of having a LIFE. However, do you ever hear this distinction made?....Duh, No.! Of course not. They’d rather pound away with the inflated numbers to deepen the envy and resentment already exhibited by members of the general community against the ILWU.
3. Being the first to strike with information leaks to the media, and spun in their direction, with no equal rebuttal from us, is taken by the general public as a true portrayl of the situation. As we are all aware, far from fair, true, or accurate.
In the past the Union has very successfully stayed quiet while the PMA has chattered like crazy. This was exceedingly effective since in those days the PMA’s ability at outbound publicity made them their own worst enemies. (the beast devouring itself)
However, today is a new day and the competition is very accomplished in an arena we don’t even participate in. The only publicity we have in general is some of the genuine good deeds we do for charity and other movements which usually gets no mention on TV, Radio, and if at all appears, in the Thursday food section of local and national papers. The only other P.R. that I see on a common and re-occuring basis, I hesitate to mention, This is the ocassional yelling back and forth by members of the Union at Von’s or elsewhere, extolling the short hours they’ve just worked for the full shift pay they received. As we are all aware, this is the exception and not the day-in day-out rule. However, this is heard by the general public which only feeds and strengthens the envy and resentment that’s being promoted by PMA.
Also, a few days ago on National TV there was a story about a potential strike of the Canada Air Flight Attendants. Logic dictates that this action would at most create some inconvenience, and little if any financial impact.
Why is it then that there is little or no National Media attention or curiosity about the negotiations going on now given the local, Statewide, and National Financial impact the success and or failure of negotitions would have. Well, simply PMA doesn’t believe they are in a dire enough situation to truly blow the horn. If they do, believe me, we will be painted in the Blackest of situations to the National Public, as greedy, slovenly, low producing, unjustly paid, and uncaring of the local, State, or National welfare. We will be accused of being responsible for the common working people losing there jobs and their children going hungry for the sake of protecting our “high paid short hour cushy existence”. Believe me this is what this Washington Belt Way Bureaucrat “Slick Joe” is all about.
The message I send is that We as a Great Future Focused Union need to concentrate on Solidarity internally, and Develop talents at Public Relations to portray ourselves accurately to the outside World, beyond that to become pro-active at this.
Like giving a good speech, “Tell’em, Tell’em what you told them”, and instead of telling them again, Let good actions by Us speak Volumes..!!!
The Union process of Casual, to ID., to A book and Beyond is a good one. This causes us all to become versed in the job, and more importantly become versed in the heritage of what’s come before. If big business followed this same “time and personal involvement giving” model they’d probably be more realistic and compassionate.....Naa!!! maybe not.
Please believe me when I say truly feel involvement at this time and that this is my perspective only thus far, being a Casual, I have a reasonable perspective on the past and a limited perspective on the present, and a blurry view of the future. But I know given my short term involvement that I find myself in the organization I’ve been longing for, for a good portion of my adult life.
Solidarity for Us. Innovation for our Leadership...!
Wayne G4112
