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Katha Pollitt wrote: <<I think it's really hard to look at what's
actually happening with organized labor and find much that is inspiring.>>
<P>It depends where you look.
<P>The union in which I have the privilege of serving as a steward, the
Coalition of University Employees (CUE), represents almost 19,000 clerical
workers throughout the University of California. CUE won that exclusive
responsibility a couuple of years ago by trouncing both the incumbent union
(AFSCME) and the University's stated preference, for no union at all.
We're presently negotiating our first contract with the University whose
manner in its dealings with this constituency of underpaid, overwhelmingly
female employees wobbles between truculent condescension and pettifogging
obstructionism. Preoccupation with these negotiations will continue
to concentrate CUE's attention on fundamental contractual issues, at least
in the short term. Informal alliances with other UC unions, however,
are already in place. Recently enacted agency-fee legislation
will broaden the scope of CUE's activities, but we're still figuring that
one out.
<P>Everyone represented by CUE pays taxes, of course, in California, and
there is no small discomfort in knowing that our mites are effectively
subsidizing the high-priced attorneys and other assorted assholes that
the University has hired in order to continue to screw us.
<P>In contrast to the grotesque corruptions practiced by a few NY unions,
CUE is relentlessly, even obsessively, democratic. As of now, no
CUE officer receives any kind of remuneration at all. All of us who
undertake union work, from participation in the bargaining team to assisting
coworkers with grievances, contribute our time and effort as volunteers.
Issues confronting CUE are regularly thrashed out on a cooperative listserve
to which everyone represented may subscribe, but the list also serves as
a forum for those of us seeking help or advice with grievances or with
the formulation of strategies to addresss other bizarre management practices--and
as a sort of community bulletin board as well.
<P>After finalizing the contract, CUE's most immediate challenge will be
to demonstrate enough credibility as a bargaining agent that a majority
of represented workers will be inspired to become members. But that's
an inspiring task, offering no less inspiring opportunities for creative
work in the future.
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