We have no one to blame but ourselves. We fell for Neil's BS and that's the bottom line. Although we were told it was the best offer in the Industry and it was, the majority of us decided to accept it. Now 20 or so months later we hate it. As I stated in an earlier post ... Did you really think Neil was going to give back?

Buzz
Whether or not I agree with you (or any member) or not I'm always respectful and always voice my opinion. With regards to your response to my earlier question ... "Oh, I did but ... who am I???" Well shame on you. You are the Administrater of this Site. A site which is here for the good of 1181 Members. More importantly you are a Union Member. As a Union Member your opinion to me and I hope to all is just as important as Ernie's, Michael's or any Board Member. I do not say this as disrespect to them but just the opposite as respect to each and every one of them, respect to you, respect to Every Member and respect to myself. I notice that not just in this Union but in many aspects of life there are individuals that think their opinion or their one vote doesn't make a difference. Well I'm sure George W., Al Gore or our own Union President Micheal will tell you that is the farthest thing from the truth. My feeling is the same as the MTA's but instead of "If you see something say something" mine is "If you believe something say something."

Well, PROUD MEMBER, I understand what you are saying, but I'm also realistic about. If our individual opinion of what is important to us is not what they think is important, it's not going anywhere ... and that's just the way it is. (Which is why I scoffed at those proposal sheets we were asked to fill out.)

Perfect example: When it looked like we were going to end the strike, I said several times to a very prominent member of the EB that while I though we should never have gone on strike in the first place, that we shouldn't go back before we negotiated a new contract as we would have nothing for leverage. I was told things like, "One battle at a time" and "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

We found out soon enough what was waiting for us on the other side of the bridge.

I back 1181 100%, but at the same time I know we have limited input as to the fights they are willing to pick ... and that would be true no matter who is running it.

That's my exact point. You either keep your opinion to yourself or as you stated in that circumstance you let ONE person on the EB know. I see and also understand the trend here eventhough I don't agree with it. The overwhelming majority at least at Pioneer follows what Ernie & the EB say without questioning it or if so people talk of it on the QT. I understand we vote in our leadership and once elected whether I voted for them or not I follow their lead unless I disagree, then I voice my opinion to them and to every member that I come in contact with. I worry about my livelihood & the future of my family as I'm sure we all do. So whether or not anyone thinks their opinion will make a difference they should voice it. Once you do that people may join in. You never know and if you get a majority to agree with you on a point that may be opposite of the Board's views they will eventually change their view. After all isnt it their responsibility to listen and do what the majority want? A lot of members think they will be so called blacklisted if they speak their piece and that piece is not what our leadership or other members want to hear. My response to that is then that leadership or those members shouldn't be part of a Union. Having said that I like to say that at Pioneer on SI our shop steward Ernie will & does listen to whatever you have to say. But if you, meaning everyone doesn't approach him how's he supposed to know what's on your mind. Okay I think I made my point I just hope it makes a difference. THE MAIN THING IS NO MATTER WHAT WE REMAIN UNITED!!!