Another chapter of the Employer playbook is about Strikes and Labor Actions. Intentionally misleading employees about how unions operate is standard practice. Again the question has to be asked, why is GFES so afraid of NEMSA?
Employers will commonly make claims like:
"Unions love to strike" and "If or when you are forced to strike" or "The union will make you strike" are common deceptive tactics straight out of the playbook...
The employer will treat unions like their only purpose is to strike and your life will be ruined by it.
The truth is quite different. Unions in general hardly ever strike. Media reports of striking unions are rare. Unions exist to better the lives of members by negotiating labor contracts, a form of business agreement with employers. Only in very rare circumstances are strikes ever used. A strike is a weapon of mass destruction and is a weapon of last resort in a labor dispute.
But GFES will continue to pound you with "strike talk"
So let's examine labor actions and strikes in depth....
GFES will have a duty required by law to negotiate in good faith with NEMSA. NEMSA will have the same duty to negotiate in good faith with GFES. A contract is a business agreement backed by law between employer and employees (collectively in a group such as a NEMSA shop). Negotiation is simply that... negotiation ... It is not "gimme gimme gimme" nor is it "I won't give, I won't give, I won't give". It is compromise and an agreement between employer and employees, GFES and NEMSA.
Should negotiations break down before a contract is settled, NEMSA commonly uses the help of Federal Mediators to work things out with employers. These are provided free of charge by the Federal Government as a method of avoiding work actions and strikes by providing a neutral third party to try to work with both parties to reach an agreement.
Most labor contracts nationwide are settled through negotiation and mediation.
Should both negotiation and mediation fail to help the parties reach an agreement there are several legal steps both parties can take to try to reach an agreement or give employees an offer to vote on.
This is another reason NEMSA is different... NEMSA's bylaws prohibit NEMSA from accepting a contract on your behalf... contracts must be voted on by YOU, the members... You also may place a strike authorization up for a vote and vote yes or no if you believe that a strike or labor actions against GFES are necessary.
But it is YOUR choice. NEMSA can not force you to do anything! You vote, you decide!
Strikes seem scary but they seldom happen. The entire negotiation and mediation process is designed to avoid strikes.
Use Your Voice.... Use Your Vote..... It's YOUR destiny....
Vote NEMSA on May 22nd!
1 comment:
I can't help but be saddened by the way my fellow coworkers are buying into Frank and Dave's nice guy routine. Just remember that Dave is the one that let some of our best medics walk out the door last year when he decided to hire Ellen. When people brought concerns to him, he told them that they could leave if they didn't like it. Only since NEMSA became involved has he changed his tune. If this vote fails, I can guarentee that key people involved in this movement will be terminated. "Give us ten months" To do what? Clean house? They have had 15 years. Give NEMSA a year and see what happens. Could it get any worse?
Molon Labe
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