Huh.

[pdragon76]

So...I attended a union information session today for the CPSU/CSA. They handed out a bunch of brochures and stuff, and about halfway through their introductory spiel, my workmate pushes one of the booklets under my nose and taps an article on page ten. It's outlining the union's position on the Israeli invasion and occupation of Palestinian

Comments

[tiffosis]

because that's what unions do. they meddle, and get their noses in where they don't belong.

[pdragon76]

I've had a lot of dealings with the retail unions over here, but mostly in the capacity of the retail manager they are arguing with. I tended to be a firm, fair, and reasonably competent manager, so I can't say I've had a lot of negative exposure. They did a lot of good work protecting the rights of my workers, and I did a lot of work preserving my relationship with the delegates and reps so that issues didn't have to reach flashpoint. I'm not ANTI-union. I'm sure they have their place, especially in the kind of environment I'm about to work in. Which is why it pisses me off so much. I don't want to join a union that takes controversial stands on socially divisive issues. And apparently, if I don't want to do that, then I can't be a member of a union in my workplace, since this is the only fucking one.

Surely that's bullshit.

[tiffosis]

seems very bs to me. at least, if they're going to align themselves with a cause, then stick to something domestic, you know?

[katiejo567]

Okay, so, I work for a union (in the US, but still), and we endorse candidates in elections all the time. It's not quite the same as having your union take an official position on a controversial issue and relay funds towards promoting said position, which I'll admit is a bit much, but it's along the same lines. If you truly have an issue with their endorsement, look at other options. But know that whatever union you sign up for, there are going to be times when your dues will be used to endorse some poor shmuck who you wouldn't spit at so much as look at them. You in particular are not choosing to take their "side", your union (which gives you your benefits and fights for your raises) is. There's enough of a distinction where you should be fine. :) My two cents, whatever they're worth.

[pdragon76]

*squirms* See, I think there's a conflict of interest there. And when I queried the speaker regarding the interesting choice of social justice issue on page ten, he said the union was in no way affiliated with any political party, and did not endorse or channel funds to any particular platform.

To which I blinked and tapped the page and said: "Except this one."

He came over and sped-read the article and got pretty flushed in the face. And then he stammered something about the article being "put in there by mistake".

I'm just really shitty about it because I don't have another union at my disposal. Like, I have to join this one, or I can't be a member of a union. And I don't like the look of this agenda.

Imagine how my Israeli co-worker responded to that. He SERVED in the Gaza strip. Like, oh hai, Israeli soldier. Please to be reading our article on how you is EVOL. Now give us $25 p/month. That's...nice.

[katiejo567]

Like I said, this level of involvement in an issue is definitely a bit much for a union. Whoever is running it either is not particularly good at the whole, you know, politics thing, or he's got an underling working for him who likes to push agendas without thinking of the consequences

[july_july_july]

...bzuh?

Wow. I mean, of all the places to stick your nose in, too. It is a right fucking mess. And a complicated right fucking mess. (And, by the by, a HUGE political clusterfuck within American Jewry.) I have no clue why a union would have a stake in it. Maybe ask your rep?

[pdragon76]

I know, right? I mean, it's such a contentious freakin' issue.

When I queried it with the speaker today, he was all stammery and ill-informed and I got a really, REALLY unsatisfactory response. The only thing I hate more than a close-minded stance is an IGNORANT close-minded stance. Like, know your fucking handouts and be ready to speak to the contents, motherfucker.

FIS basically tossed the entire handout over his shoulder and zoned out for the rest of the session, because... um, SERVED IN THE GAZA STRIP. So, yeah. How can you justify handing over funds to an organization that just spent a good half a page telling you in really layman, unspecific, one-sided terms how you're made of EVOL?

[july_july_july]

Oh dear. I didn't even think of FIS. Which, shit, if anybody's qualified to have an opinion, it's him. The whole thing is just so very, very random.

I dunno. Maybe call the union office and play dumb blonde? That's what I'd do. "Hi! My name's Tippy and I'm calling about a bit of information I found in the brochure. It's just--you know, I don't really keep up with world affairs and all that. I was hoping you could explain something to me..."

And yes, it is important to go by 'Tippy' when you call. Tippy has gotten me a lot of answers over the years.

BUT. Do you have the lady wood of patriotism? That's really what matters here.

[pdragon76]

I totally do.

*shows you Certificate of Appointment with the coat of arms*

Heeeeeeee!

[elshadowboxer]

Wow. I don't really have an opinion, never having joined a union myself, but just, wow. I agree. Hear hear.

[pdragon76]

What I pay my union for is representation and protection in my workplace. Not to have a fucking opinion on the Palestinian Territories. If I want to fund an agenda in that conflict, I'll give my direct debit details to Peres or the PNA.

*grumbles*

[lilacsigil]

Yes, a lot of unions adopt positions on particular issues - hence the green bans and other such actions. Australian unionism is really pretty active in worldwide leftist issues! All these actions are voted on by union members - as are things like supporting other unions - so if you don't agree, vote against.

[pdragon76]

Alright. Thank you. This is what I am trying to get at: if I join, where is my VOICE?

And you are saying there is voting. So if I was to join, I would have an avenue to voice my disagreement with the furthering of particular social justice issues.

So I guess, if that is the case, I need to decide whether I can live with the fact that unless I am a staunch lefty, I may frequently disapprove or strongly query the selected activism.

Hmmm. There's still a level of democracy in that. I have to be thinky.

Thanks for the info. I used to be such a lefty when I was at uni. I don't think I necessarily am anymore. I wonder what happened.

[lilacsigil]

I'm generally pretty pro-union because as a kid I marched in the nurses' strikes of the mid-80s with my mum - the nurses union did amazing things for improving conditions, respect and education for what was considered a menial women's job (despite all the skill and knowledge that went into it). Even so, I think that resolutions on Palestinian territory is just a wee bit beyond the scope of a union.