I encourage any member who's curious about the status of SPSE-UPTE to come to the general membership meeting next week. That way we can at least address your questions. In summary, SPSE is doing a miniature version of what LLNL is doing: reconfiguring itself to operate in the private sector.
We now operate under a completely different set of laws, and adjusting to this is not automatic. Despite collecting dues, SPSE is a member-run union, and there are a handful of members doing all the work. We're grateful to everyone who sends us good ideas, but what we really need now is a few interested members to get involved and act on them. In my opinion SPSE has succeeded best when a member with a passion for something gets involved, gets help, and gets it accomplished. As for status, you will see another Sentinel sometime soon. I know because I'm editing the thing. Sure, the web page needs updating. If this bothers you, then stop complaining and volunteer to help with it. JW
We now operate under a completely different set of laws, and adjusting to this is not automatic. Despite collecting dues, SPSE is a member-run union, and there are a handful of members doing all the work. We're grateful to everyone who sends us good ideas, but what we really need now is a few interested members to get involved and act on them. In my opinion SPSE has succeeded best when a member with a passion for something gets involved, gets help, and gets it accomplished. As for status, you will see another Sentinel sometime soon. I know because I'm editing the thing. Sure, the web page needs updating. If this bothers you, then stop complaining and volunteer to help with it. JW
Comments
SPSE had over a year to learn about the new rules. They did a poor job in their attempt to get employees to join and we all paid dearly for that.
Time to get a real union at LLNL, the glee club is too busy with their newsletter.
You are entitled to your opinion; you are also entitled to run for president of SPSE and run it better!
Stop whining and offer to help instead!
Calling that "whining" goes a long way to explaining why SPSE failed to attract new members.
So, the question is what organization can help the good employees of LLNL.
At the moment, I don't know the answer to this question.
"The real point appears to be that LLNL and LANL workers are unlikely to be effective in dealing with management unless they get together in a professional and effective way.
There is no professional way to deal with idiots and corruption. Just look at Washington, DC. They think it's their country, not yours and tax the devil out of you to prove it. Then use those taxes to aid themselves and their pocketbooks.
Individual attempts, as was proved in the Northeast for 100 years by many individuals and then nascent unions, don't work.
I'd say the northwest had their act together and were perfectly correct in their actions and it may be time once again to set the record straight. Unions work very well when the masses join together and use force when need be to get their needs along with ousting those who defy them. The right to strike is also very effective when you work for a company that's trying to make a product, but LLNL and LANL don't have that in their contract, so you lose....
It's time to find a better solution for worker rights at both LLNL and LANL.
Perhaps the best we can do is wait it out(or leave) for 6 1/2 years, then try to pick a decent contractor next time.
LLNL and LANL should be employee owned.