Page 16- The Michigan Daily - Thursday, May 12, 1983
PROMISES, PROMISES
HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED THAT
THE U OF M ADMINISTRATION
MAKES VAGUE PROMISES OF
"BETTER DAYS WITHOUT THE
UNION" WHENEVER THE OFFICE
STAFF BEGINS TO ORGANIZE?
4
4
A couple of years ago, clericals and secretaries
who were organizing were told that their jobs
could be improved by a new office staff
classification system. The clericals and secretaries
put their faith in that promise and what did they
get? Not much.
How could they? According to an AFSCME
analysis of the reclassification, "it appears that
the reclassification study was conducted in order
to depress the wage structure and cut costs for the
University. "*
Sure enough, hardly anyone got a real
promotion or pay increase. In fact, under the new
system, many have found it harder to move into a
better job, with over 122 job titles.
Unfortunately, many office staff believed
what they heard from the Administration and
voted not to organize. They traded collective
bargaining and a binding contract for vague
promises.
Promises, promises.
The best and only way
is to get it in writing.
contract.
That was three years ago. Today, AFSCME
(American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees) is helping U of M's
clericals and secretaries to organize. And sure
enough, word is out that things will be better
without the union. In some places it's better
benefits, in others it's job security, vacations,
promotions, or free football tickets. It's whatever
you want to hear.
But here's what one woman who's worked at
the University for 16 years had to say, "I voted
against a union the last time around. I always
believed that somehow things would get better, but
now I just don't think that the University is going
to voluntarily improve anything for us. So next
time a vote comes up, I would support it."
Women's Information Network Bulletin, Fall
1982.
to get what's promised
In a written, legal
FE This time, SAY YES TO AFSCME.
For information, call 769-2200 x007
MUNICIPAL
PLOy& EW*Copies of AFSCME's analysis of the
® reclassification are available, free. Just write to
tb sAMSCME, c/o 615 Huron St., Rmt607,
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104