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The following commentary was submitted as a Letter to the Editor and published in the June 1998 issue of News & Views.
By Guy Costello
South Milwaukee
On Saturday, May 16, I had the opportunity to participate in the first meeting of the advisory council created by New Business Item #4 from the 1998 Representative Assembly. The advisory council, made up of UniServ, Student WEA, and WEAC-Retired presidents, was given the directive to advise the WEAC Board of Directors with respect to a statewide action plan to attack the QEO and revenue controls.
Early discussions focused on participants’ feelings of frustration and anger. Some were hurt by accusations that they had not been doing enough to fight the QEO. Others were upset that they had been putting their jobs on the line while others sat back and observed. Some were concerned that we were focusing too much on the QEO when it was the revenue caps that were causing the greatest problem.
Members spoke to the exhilaration that came from united and successful actions. Others shared stories of pain and division caused by difficult bargains over the past year.
From this difficult but honest discussion, feelings of understanding and trust began to grow. The situations we face vary greatly based on size, location, and personality of our communities, necessitating and allowing very different tactics and strategies. But we all have a common goal – get rid of the QEO and revenue controls.
Many ideas for action were discussed, and will continue to be discussed at our next meeting in June. We are far from consensus, but the feeling of the group was that we can come together with an effective strategy if we keep talking, listening, and making a sincere effort to understand all our needs and concerns.
What struck me most from this initial meeting of the advisory council was how fortunate we are to have members with very different personalities, styles and strengths within our one union. We should consider ourselves very lucky to have members who are willing to push us beyond our comfort zone and to lead by example.
Our union is also blessed with members who can free themselves from very justified anger and emotion and force us to keep our feet firmly on the ground and aware of the reality around us.
Both of these types of members show great courage and both are needed to form a strong union.
With both styles of leadership actively participating in the advisory council I am confident that we can develop an effective action plan that we can all unite behind and that will bring and end to the QEO and revenue caps. – Guy Costello South Milwaukee
Posted June 11, 1998