Viewpoint: Divergent Voices Strengthen Union
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