BIGGER LABOR
A Crash Course for Construction Union Organizers
by
Bob Oedy
Second Edition
© Copyright 2012 by Bob Oedy
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-0784-5
First Printing 2008
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in whole or in part or in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by information storage and retrieval systems without prior written consent from the publisher.
Union Organizer Press
P.O. Box 3771
Winnetka, CA 91396-3771
Disclaimer
Construction union organizing involves risk. Please be advised that this publication is designed to provide authoritative information on construction union organizing and communications techniques. This book is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not providing legal or other professional services. If expert or legal advice is required, please seek the services of a licensed and competent professional.
The views expressed in this book are those of the author only and do not represent the views of any organization. The information included herein is believed to be accurate. However, should you find any mistakes, please contact us so we can improve this text and consider corrections in future editions. This book should be used as a general guide only; it was created to complement other texts. We urge you to read all of the available material on these subjects. This manual contains information on construction union organizing that is current up to the printing date. Learn as much as you can about construction union organizing and tailor the information to your individual, organization or union’s needs.
This book is designed to educate and entertain. The publisher and author are not responsible for any damage caused or alleged to be caused either directly or indirectly by the information contained herein. If you decide you cannot agree with this statement, please return the book to the publisher for a full refund.
Thank you.
Acknowledgements
I wish to thank many people for encouraging me to write this book. Please accept my sincere apology if I have forgotten to include your name, because it was completely by mistake. Thanks to my family: Mom, Dad, Tom, Carol, Mary, John, Bella, Dean and Dylan for their encouragement. Sincere gratitude goes to Tony Romo, a trusted friend and talented listener. Very special thanks goes to business manager, Marvin P. Kropke, his family, and all the dedicated members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, especially Local 11 rank-and-file, staff, and secretarial personnel.
I wish to thank Chrysa Cullather for her patience in this process, as well as her editing expertise. Marketing Mentor Ilise Benun, for showing me the way, introducing me to the right people and keeping me on track; and the Communicatrix, Colleen Wainwright, for “getting it” from Day 1 and encouraging me to proceed. Thanks to my proofreader, Jon Richard Kaufmann, for his keen eye; Audra Keefe and Peleg Top of Top Design for their brilliant cover design; and Arthur B. Shostak for expanding my vision of the future of the labor movement. Kudos to Jackie Dixon for returning all my calls and e-mails, Dan Poynter, for showing me there was a book inside me, and Allison Tenzer, for correcting my papers.
Appreciation goes out to organizers Mark Meyer, Marc Greenfield, Gary Parker, Dianna Limon, Dick Reed, Kevin Norton, Larry Henderson, Eric Brown, Tommy Faavae, Eddie Gering, Max Carter and Al D. Davis for their insight. Thanks to Dave and Cyndi Klane, for their literary and artistic input and Steven Moncur, for his quick responses to my questions, and also to John Harriel, Mark Breslin, Daniel Villao, Rick Perna, Kate Bronfenbrenner, Kirk Brungard, Roy San Filippo, and Marty Cohen, as well as Matt Kolbinsky of Pro Union Consulting for reviewing my manuscript.
To Mom and Dad: For inspiring me to reach higher every day.
Introduction
“A revolutionary organizer must shake up the prevailing patterns of their lives—agitate, create disenchantment and discontent with the current values to produce, if not a passion for change, at least a passive, affirmative, non-challenging climate.”
—Saul D. Alinsky, 1971
Right now, labor unions are poised to take advantage of the biggest growth opportunity in years. Employers are experiencing the beginning of a skilled labor shortage. The Baby Boomers are retiring, and younger workers are choosing to continue education past high school and seek other professional careers. Pick up any trade magazine or newspaper, and you will likely find an article about the coming demand for qualified construction workers. Construction industry insiders agree that apprenticeship programs could find themselves struggling to keep up with the demand. This situation will mean higher wages and increased benefits for union members. It will also provide needed capital for unions to invest in recruiting new members and training them.
It’s an exciting time to be a labor organizer. Individual labor organizers are experiencing amazing results. They are signing contractors, attracting members, and gaining market share for their unions. Organizers are out there on the front lines of what is sometimes perceived as a battle between the union and the “not-yet-union” construction industry. In spite of the tension and the naysayers, they are reaching out to the nonunion employers with an invitation to make their companies more profitable. The union offers a solution to the challenges of the nonunion employer, especially now during a labor shortage. Labor needs to recognize this opportunity. The time to act is now.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or volunteer organizer, I want to congratulate you and thank you for the work that you do on behalf of union men and women everywhere.
My Introduction to the Union
In 1986, before joining the union, I was employed at a nonunion rental house in Hollywood. The hours were long, and the pay was horrible. On this particular day, I attempted to deliver a truckload of equipment to Paramount Studios. When I was backing up a truck to the loading dock the workers shut the doors and put up a sign that read, “Back in 30 minutes.” I called my employer to explain the delay, and was told the workers were probably inside taking their “union lunch break” so don’t disturb them. I wanted to be able to take breaks like that. My boss made it very clear that if the customer needed anything during my break it was over. In fact, I might not be able to go back to finish a sandwich. There were many such days. I didn’t have a retirement plan or a real health plan, for that matter. That was the day it hit me. I had to get into the union.
In 1988, after a previously unsuccessful attempt, I was finally accepted
