Focusing on Members' Issues Face-to-Face

As we start a new year, the Union also stepped up efforts to improve communication with shop floor members. The Union began holding member focus groups as part of an ongoing communication plan.
These informal small group meetings provide members an opportunity to meet face-to-face with Union leaders and voice their concerns, discuss issues, get answers to questions or offer suggestions on how the Union can better service the members. The main objective is to hear what you - the members - have to say. A computer program randomly selects members for the groups by their work location.

District President Mark Blondin noted, "We have learned that the best way to communicate with members is through face-to-face meetings. The Union hears from Stewards and Officers on a regular basis, but we believe it is just as important to hear what shop floor members are thinking. These groups provide members an opportunity to participate and offer input. The intent is for the Union to hear first-hand your concerns and thoughts."

Education is always one of the strongest tools and arms members with knowledge to better recognize contract violations and understand their rights. Just as important, membership participation ensures that Union leadership maintains a shop-floor perspective and has that two-way communication with members to more effectively address your issues in dealing with Boeing and elected officials.

Blondin added, "An informed membership and improved two-way communication will make us stronger at the bargaining table in 2005. This will be an ongoing program, in which we incorporate as many suggestions as possible into the everyday services, activities and programs offered by the Union."

The hope is that as word spreads about these meetings, more members will respond to the invitation and provide suggestions and ideas to strengthen our Union.