Working with the many, we are just PERFECT!: Quotes from the Rose Schneiderman Leadership Class

Rose Schneiderman Leadership Class

Quotes:
"Only you can be the change you want to see in our union."

"My address is like my echoes. It travels with me. I abide where there is a fight against wrong."-Mother Jones

I always wondered why SOMEBODY didn't do something about that then I realized I AM SOMEBODY!!!

If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything.

Every thunderstorm begins with a single raindrop.

"Nothing about us, without us!"

"...and then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me."-Martin Miemoller

In the environment of your union, your responsibility is to recognize members in your family of workers who are powerless and powerful and to act accordingly.-Shelley Martin

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."-John Quincy Adams

"We must speak up and speak out. Silence is not acceptable in today's Labor Movement."-Shellye Davis

"Our movement is of the working people, for the working people, by the working people. There is not a right too long denied to which we do not aspire in order to achieve; there is not a wrong too long to endure that we are not determined to abolish."-Samuel Gompers (Rosario Cabrera)

"Big dogs don't have to bark. I am not a get along for the go along girl."-Jackie Elliot

"Concluding from a distance is dangerous."-Gmasnoh J. Williams-Gerring 

"There is no tomorrow."-Barbara Hafner

"I may have problems, but my problems don't have me."-Michelle Kellering 

"Working-by myself I know, I am good. Working with the many, I know we are just perfect!"-Michelle Kellering

Bhairavi Desai: Visionary Organizer and Progressive Leader of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance

"When you realize how many enemies you have, you realize your potential for power" - Bhairavi Desai

Every day in NYC one million people are served by taxi drivers. Bhairavi Desai, the opening plenary speaker for the 39th Summer School for Union Women held at Queen's College in NY has been organizing taxi drivers since 1996. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of the 17,000 member New York Taxi Workers Alliance since 1998. Taxi drivers are one of the most vulnerable workforces in the city of NY. High risk, drivers are 60 times more likely to be assaulted or killed on the job. In 2012, NYTWA won a liveable income raise, first-time regulations of taxi companies, and a Health and Disability Fund for drivers. The first for taxi drivers nationwide and one of the first for independent contractors. In 2011, NYTWA was chartered to build the National Taxi Workers Alliance, the 57th union of the AFL-CIO.  The NTWA is the first charter for non-traditional workers since the farm workers in the 1960's, and the first one ever of independent contractors.  NYTWA has increased drivers' incomes by 35%-45%, secured over $15 million in emergency aid to drivers, and provided pro bono or discounted legal, financial management and health services to over 10,000 drivers and families.

Ms. Desai was drawn to this industry when she saw how hard drivers worked to survive under such difficult conditions.  99% male, this workforce of mostly immigrant, independent contractors start each day at a negative balance, often working 60 hours or more per week. Because drivers work all shifts, Ms. Desai would organize until 3am or 4am in the morning sharing with them how a union is an anti-poverty vehicle, and building a culture of mutual respect and solidarity.  In 1998, drivers went on strike and management fought back hard, spreading malicious gossip about her character, objectifying and sexualizing her actions. Ms. Desai reflected on these challenging moments by stating, "Feminism taught us that we do not need to internalize these attacks, but analyse the lack of value of the people who perpetuate these things."  As she gave examples of some of the tricks that management used (such as distribute publications that encouraged looking for fares near stripper places) she went on to say, “These publications dehumanize and objectify women. If you cannot recognize the humanity of women, you cannot recognize the humanity of anyone."

Recently, a driver was hit in the back by a drunk driver and killed.  He had two sons and a wife in India.  The union brought the family to the United States for the funeral, fighting hard to make it possible as the man was an undocumented worker.  For the first time in thirteen years, the wife and sons saw their father, in his casket.  Through tears, the son said in pride, "This is my father's union! They made it possible to see him."

Thank you Dale Melcher for My Aha Moment

Hello Sisters,

I hope all is well. I would like to share my "aha moment.”   Also, send out much love and thanks  to Dale Melcher.

               July 2011 was my first experience of UALE Summer School.  Dale was my Leadership Skills instructor.  We had a discussion on “How to engage members in volunteering.”  I was one of the players and convinced my sister to volunteer.  I just knew it was going to be as easy as pie.  Wrong.

I worked over a year trying to get the members to volunteer for union activities.  The turnout was low or no one showed.  What was I doing wrong?  I had my list.  I had given the date and time. 

Aha!!!  What was it that Dale said?  “A member may say yes but, the steward still must follow through.”   

Maybe there were childcare issues, or work issues that caused a change in their schedule.

Participation has increased.  Although, I may know, a members schedule, I remember Dale's instructions;

follow up.

Thanks again, UALE Summer School for Dale and my aha moment.

 

In Solidarity,

Peggy Johns

Elizabeth Gurley-Flynn Leadership Skills Class

 

 

This picture is an example of just some of the great things we discussed in our Leadership Skills class. The focus was organizing. The trainers, Susan Tindall and Sarah Hughes assisted in showing us an easier and more efficient way to structure the process. This was a great class. I can’t wait to sharing what I have learned. Thank you, UALE Summer School 2013.

Wellness for Women Leaders - contributed by Oneshia Shade-Portlette

NE Summer School for Union Women's very first Wellness class taught by the extremely Educated, Motivational and Inspirational Kim L. Guillory, AFA/CWA.

My Union Sisters,  this is the class to take, it's not only beneficial to the Body, Mind and Spirit ...  It's also good for the Heart and Soul!

Help United University Professions

Help United University Professions keep affordable public healthcare in Brooklyn as well as providing high quality affordable medical education downstate.

Go to: uupinfo.org/legislation/advocate.php

Click on: "Send letter to SUNY Downstate"

Please share with others

These women are SERIOUS!!

Meet Maritza Casarez and Carolina Portillo who work for ROC - Restaurant Opportunities Center.  ROC was born in Chicago in 2007. After 9/11, a New York Chapter was organized to provide support to the restaurant workers who were displaced. ROC-NY leads restaurant workplace justice campaigns, provides job training and placement, conducts research and policy work --- and even has its own cooperative restaurant!

ROC educates restaurant workers all over New York City and advocates for improving working conditions. There are free training courses for restaurant workers in “Front of the House” – including Customer Service, Server Training, Specialty Coffee /Barista and NYC Food Protection Course and Certification  as well as “Back of the House” – Pastry Arts, Basic Cooking, Edible Arrangements  and NYC Food Protection Course.

It is responsible for winning 13 workplace justice campaigns against restaurants and gaining millions of dollars in improvements in workplace policies for restaurant workers.

Did you know? The minimum wage for food industry workers has been the same for 22 years! 

Learn more about ROC – a Coalition Agency at:     http://rocny.org/