TIME TO MOBILIZE
By TOM DOLAN
Mobilizing Guild members is nothing new to Sina Williams, who was elected the Guild's new vice chairman for mobilization and communications last month. In fact, anybody who remembers those fuchsia T-shirts in the Classified Department knows her handiwork. |
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It happened during contract talks in 1993, when Classified members -- all of them women -- were determined to achieve a pay upgrade.
"Not much was done to raise the wages in many years," Williams recalls.
But, in order to swing an upgrade, the bargaining team bluntly advised Williams that her department would have to be willing to make some noise - in other words, to grab some attention to their plight. The solution: eye-catching fuchsia T-shirts, which the women daily wore in the workplace until they won their goal. The message was hard to miss, too. "We're due," the shirts proclaimed in large letters.
Look for Williams to bring that same savvy, determination and humor to her newest job for the Buffalo unit. In addition to being past president of the local during it's historic transition to the CWA, she has also served as a chief steward, unit chair, vice president and negotiating team member. She's also been a delegate to four Guild conventions.
Williams said she plans to work on mobilizing guild members in a four-pronged campaign involving communication, new members, education and new social activities.
To improve guild communications, she believes the unit should restore regular reporting to the membership regarding grievances and also re-energize the Frontier Reporter. New members must receive better orientations so they understand the Guild and its role at the paper, she also believes. Ongoing education is one of the unit's biggest needs, according to Williams. She hopes to set up a calendar of Guild training sessions, including a return to some Saturday morning seminars.
Lastly, there's the social path to union-building, she says. "The Christmas party was a wonderful success. We need to keep going with more events and to capitalize on that success," Williams said.
"These are positive, union-building tactics that will build the network
for bargaining. From these steps you'll build towards a better
contract."
