union busting - part 2

On Friday (5/9/08), I traveled to Overland Park, KS (Kansas City Metro area), to file the petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for an election on whether or not to allow SPEEA to continue representing the Wichita Technical & Professional Unit (WTPU). We had more than the 30% required signatures and more people signed on Friday. Those signatures will be faxed to the NLRB on Monday. We have until close of business Monday to get them in.

The last couple of weeks have definitely been "interesting." :-)

For someone who HATES politics, I have certainly found myself in the midst of it. I can't say I like it. But, if we are not willing to stand up for what we believe, who is it that we believe should?

The past month has DEFINITELY confirmed my conviction that I DO NOT want SPEEA representing me on ANYTHING. The distortion of facts, twisting of truths, and out and out lies they have published (via websites & in emails to members or all represented) testifies of their lack of integrity. Their attempts at intimidation and threats is not only very UNprofessional, it is down right sad.

Both the company (Spirit AeroSystems) and SPEEA should be officially notified by Monday (if they were not on Friday) of the call for an election. A date will be established sometime with the next 50 days.

In the meantime, we have our work cut out for us. With 2400+ employees represented, each "election" has been decided by only a few votes difference. We need to shift the tipping point to the "no" side this time.

We've had 7 years of forced representation that has not provided any identifiable benefit to the masses -- and in fact provided less for us than to our non-represented counterparts (of which I was gratefully one until early this year). There are individual cases where they went to bat for someone and helped in a situation. However, the benefit to those few has come at the expense of all of the rest of us. Enough is enough.