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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Is UTA Trying to Provoke A Fight?December 22, 2009
Happy Holidays everyone, This is
Michael Carper. It has been a long time since anything really interesting has given us reason to post something new. This
latest move by the UTA, however, does seem rather provocative (See this morning's Salt Lake Tribune article section
B) . I don't recall if the company has voted to accept a contract when the "union" has voted overwhelningly
to reject it, perhaps this is standard procedure; launching a volley at the "union" in the midst of difficult negotiations.
It is clear that the agenda of forcing further anti-labor policies down the throats of the employees is firmly in place, no
suprise there. The question would be whether the management intends to unilaterily impose these policies, as the tone of this
morning's Tribune article seems to suggest. There are a number of things to keep in mind during this period: The concept of
collective bargaining, with the right of the members of the collective unit to a democratic vote, must be defended by wage
workers at UTA or anywhere. I say this even if it means supporting a company union for a time. Contrary to the falsehoods
told by a former union president, UTA "union" members have the right to binding arbitration. This is a tricky issue,
it is often not the best way to procede, however, "union" members would do well to consider and discuss the
option. Lastly, for now, employees of the UTA, along with union workers in private industries have the absolute right
to choose their bargaining representative. There is no one year period that workers must wait before electing to join an alternative
organization.
I will be posting further on this issue as it comes to light. I encourage all of you looking in to
share your thoughts. It may be neccessary for workers at the UTA to make a concrete demonstration of our support for the principle
of collective bargaining.
9:32 am mst
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