Platform

  • Our union currently operates under a shroud of secrecy. The most basic of information is so difficult to acquire that it can feel as though it is being purposefully withheld. For example, it is a common occurrence that union members do not know who their shop stewards are, and have difficulty finding out who to contact when they are in need of assistance. This is something that should be readily available to all members without difficulty.

    Transparency also means clearly communicating the financial health of Local 481 and making it clear how much money we have available and exactly how it is being utilized. Lack of transparency is entirely unnecessary and benefits no one. It doesn’t have to be this way. We promise transparency, ease of access to information, and a communication style that treats everyone like we are on the same team - because we are.

  • Our union currently operates as if it was frozen in time in the 1960s. The following are only a few examples of how desperately behind we are in terms of utilization of modern technology:

    • The union does not even have a functional website dedicated to Local 481, despite the membership requesting one be created for at least a decade. A website could benefit the membership in a multitude of ways, such as digital contracts available for download, online bulletins with live updates on negotiations, information on how to contact your nearest shop stewards, handbooks on federal and state rights guaranteed by the National Labor Relations Board, digital forms for changes in personal information, and much more.

    • In order to change your address, you have to make a formal request by phone, receive a paper form in the mail, and then mail it back or travel to the union office to deliver it. This is simply unacceptable in the modern era. Online forms can be utilized to make these requests painless and time efficient.

    • Our union does not store data properly. For example, they have multiple lists of addresses for members, and do not update all lists when they receive requests for change in information. This results in frequent delays in receiving ballots or other important information - or worse, that information or ballot never reaches your primary residence at all.

    Modern technology also ensures that we can maximize accessibility of Local 481 to all of our members. Our union includes shops from all corners of San Diego County, an area of over 4,000 square miles. This presents a list of challenges for accessibility for all members, whether that means being able to go to union meetings, having direct access to shop stewards or union leadership, and feelings of isolation. To combat this, we can hold digital office hours online, have special meetings in easily accessible locations, and alternate general membership meetings online to maximize accessibility for all members across our city.

    We will modernize our union utilizing the latest and most efficient technology that reflects the needs of our members. This will benefit not only our members, but the office staff of 481 that undoubtedly struggles with backlogs in requests and convoluted data storage.

  • Union members have faced inferior contracts for too many years. There are many factors at play here, not the least of which is a lack of communication with the membership. If a contract is subpar, union leadership should tell you that it is subpar. There is absolutely no reason that the membership - who are occupied with full time jobs, feeding their families, and too often working second jobs - should be burdened with knowing whether or not the complicated legalese within a contract benefits them or not. Union leadership, who are the experts in these contracts, should be the ones to tell you, and right now they are not. If the contracts are subpar, they should be strategizing with the membership to vote down those contracts and fight for more. We promise to always do that.

    This also means calling upon the resources of the broader International Brotherhood of Teamsters when the time comes. Historically there has been minimal to no communication or collaboration with the Teamsters. For example, the Teamsters have a strike fund of over $300 million, and have frequently authorized strike benefits of up to $1,000 per week for union workers on strike under their subsidiaries. We should be tapping into this network of experts and resources more frequently, whether or not Local 481 is engaged in active negotiations.

  • It has become far too common to hear stories about union members being taken advantage of by their management, often in direct violation of a legally binding contract. This happens for a few different reasons:

    • A distinct lack of union leadership equipping the membership with the proper tools to understand their rights. Union members should have quick and easy access to know their rights so that if needed, they are able to voice concerns through he proper channels of contract violations within their departments. Right now there is little to no training or resources provided for new hires to understand their guaranteed rights as a union member.

    • Not enough shop stewards. Not only are there a distinct lack of shop stewards trained and available at the largest companies within 481, these shop stewards are often difficult to get ahold of, underutilized, or not available.

    • No follow through. There are countless examples of concerns about clear and distinct contract violations  being brought to the attention of union leadership with absolutely no follow up.

    We promise to educate the membership, provide them with the necessary resources to fight back against unjust business practices, train more shop stewards, and take every concern raised to the leadership with sincerity.

    The membership should not have to go out of their way to ask for updates on negotiations, meetings, or upcoming events. There is currently no efficient way for union leadership to effectively communicate with the membership, other than letters in the mail or emails that only get sent to a select group of members. We promise to frequently and transparently communicate the happenings of Local 481 as it relates to what is most important to you.

  • Unions are stronger when workers come together in large numbers. The research is clear - as union participation decreases, wealth inequality increases. Strong and well functioning unions have never been more important than they are today. By encouraging other working class people that are not currently unionized within the umbrella of companies represented by Local 481, in addition to other businesses in San Diego, we can build a larger and stronger union. Not only will this help protect more blue collar workers, it will bring in more revenue to our Local that can be utilized to hire more staff, provide stipends to shop stewards, secure more robust and high quality legal representation, and grow our strike fund.