Micro

To members of LEC 26:

I am running for election as the Block 3 representative of LEC 26. I have submitted my “willingness to serve” letter to the LEC and am now respectfully requesting that LEC 26 members submit a nomination ballot in my name. As many of you who already know me, I have been quite outspoken on the union not representing its constituents wishes on numerous issues and the lack of communication between the union and its members. I believe that it’s time for the members to take back the “running” of our union and stop the tail wagging the dog. Feel free to pm me for my e-mail or my phone number to discuss any issue.
However, at this point I am asking that you place my name on your nomination ballot to serve as a LEC 26 representative. Thanks in advance, Capt. Frederick Buesser

Jetjok

Fred,

I've known you since you came on the property and feel that you will make a good rep. However, I'm wondering exactly how you feel about unity within the crew force, especially as it relates to the Age 60, now Age 65 issue. As well, are you planning on producing any documentation as to your plans on that and other issues that now face this company and crew force?

Best regards, and good luck with your campaign.

JJ

Micro

JJ, Thanks for the pat on the back. As far as unity within the crew force, I really don't see ANY unity at the moment because of numerous issues over the past year or so (we've seen the reasons here on this and other boards). But since you ask specifically about the age 60 I'll give you my take. I don't see guys (O.K. there's some) specifically pi$$ed off at the age 60+ guys. The law changed, whether we liked it or not, and now we live with it and deal with it and I for one am not going to say that the age 60+ guys. Guys ARE still pi$$ed at the union because of the way the issue was handled. A majority of this crewforce felt like the union didn't represent their wishes on this issue (and others) and that has caused them not to trust the union. I think this feeling (and no unity) will not change until a majority of union reps are changed and the union starts representing its members wishes.
I am planning to publish my views on other union issues but I don't have it complete at this time. Let me say we need work on the contract (to include the LOA) and union communications (which don't even come close to the twentieth century). Any specifics, just ask.

Micro

Fellow members of Council 26,
I’m Fred Buesser and I’d like to thank you for your support in my nomination as a candidate for block 3, LEC 26 representative. When ballots arrive for elections of Council Blocks (3, 6, and 11), please take the time to vote for a pilot in each block. I am asking for your vote as the block 3 representative.
In light of my request for your vote, I’d like to discuss where I feel we’re “at” in our union and what I feel needs to be done.

UNITY
We are presently at what I see as the lowest level of unity since we’ve had a union on the property. There have been numerous “results” that have led to this apathy and loss of unity. The age 60 debacle, the substandard LOA’s, contract side letters not revealed or voted upon by the membership, and a contract, that was “sold” to us, that members are now realizing didn’t come close to meeting or fixing the four “pillars” we strove to attain. And yes, we have too many “independent operators” working against the efforts of the union. However, we MUST solve OUR unity problem before we can move on as a union and tackle the critical effort of our next contract negotiations.

So what do I see as the causes that led to these “results”. A lack of representation, a lack of communication, and a lack of education on the issues this union has faced. We will not solve our unity issues until we fix these areas. I will discuss each of these factors but I believe that they are so intertwined that you cannot fix one without fixing all.

Representation
Let’s face it, representation is what most members are dissatisfied and disenchanted about. Many feel that the union doesn’t work for or represent their wants and needs. Decisions have been made in direct opposition to the majority opinion of the crew-force as well as board recommendations on contractual items that should have never gotten to the crew-force. This HAS to change and I intend to represent the views on my block and LEC. However, the finger doesn’t only point towards the MEC on this topic. It is also should point towards the crew-force and this relates to communication. Have you made your opinions, wants, and needs known to your representative? Have you attended a LEC meeting? Have you voted when you’ve had the option? To represent you, I WILL communicate what’s going on and WILL request your opinions before decisions are made.

Communication
While efforts are underway to increase the communication between our MEC and union members, the system is antiquated and doesn’t meet the needs of a geographical spread out crew-force. Why should crew-members not in Memphis, either because they don’t live there or are on a trip, be denied the opportunity to participate in any union meeting be it a hub turn meeting or LEC meeting? I believe it’s time for our union to move into the 21st century when it comes to communication. Web casts, streaming video, teleconference, etc. should be the norm to increase member participation at meetings and to educate the crew-force on issues. In the interim, I am committed to putting out bi-monthly news letters not only covering the hot issues, but the day to day work being done on the committee level as well as a detailed summary of the quarterly MEC meetings within a week of the meeting. I will endeavor to answer e-mails within 24 hours and will be available at any time by phone.

Education
The final piece of the puzzle is education. Education FROM the MEC/LEC about the issues facing the union BEFORE decisions are made (to allow feedback) and SELF-education by the crew-force both about current issues and knowledge of our contract. We ALL need to read and understand the contract so that we can both directly provide our negotiating committee with what you want to change in our current CBA as well as correctly identifying your views in the upcoming survey. We no longer can afford to hear crew-members on the crew bus say “I haven’t read the (you fill in the blank) but the MEC says vote for it so I’m going to”. We all need to take the time and responsibility to ENSURE what we’re voting on is what we really need and want. If it’s not what you believe is in our best interests, stand up and make your opinions known (back to communication and representation) and vote against it when the time comes.

Finally, I believe that it’s time to shine the “spotlight” into those dark corners where our “independent contractors” are working against our efforts. We need to know who’s working to support the efforts of the union and who’s not. No more free rides.

I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope you found it helpful. Please consider my ideas when determining what direction you want this Union to take in the future and can contact me at any time for further discussions on ant topic.

When ballots are issued please take the time to cast your very important vote.
Once again, I’m Fred Buesser and I’m asking for your vote as Block 3 representative. I clearly represent a new direction for our union.

Fraternally,

Fred Buesser

AerisArmis

Fred, is it remotely possible that you could maybe, just maybe, vote against DW, just once? Maybe on the lunch order or something just to show that there is somebody who doesn't buy into his [El Toro Caca] 100% of the time? Doable?

Micro

Not just doable but probable. The MEC needs to start running things (like their supposed to). The tail need to be stopped from wagging the dog!