George, I just read your letter. I agree with all you say. Steady crane operators feel they are outside the union. And they can make any deals they want to make more money.
The rank and file can vote this bad contract down, and get things back on track for the good of all the members.
There seems to be so much apathy and not understanding what is at stake here.
Giving up control of the hiring hall to PMA. Side deals to steady men. No raise for pensioners for 3 years. Only 5% raise for widows, maybe. Hold back on 401K plan.
Kind of makes you wonder what the caucus delegates were really doing in Frisco. Then they come back and try and sell a bad contract that the rank and file has to live with for 3 years. Well the contract in 96 was bad, but this is much worse.
Get the word out, and the members will do the right thing when they have all the facts.
Chuck Kole
6752
