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> Ned said, "... I despise unions is that I want no one making decisions
for me out of 'my best interest'. The only entity that truly has my best
interests in mind is me."
When I was working in Austria for a U.S. based Fortune 100 corporation,
the corporation decided the lay off 10% of staff and middle management
in our Austrian branch. In their typically heavy-handed manner,
corporate announced this through upper management, and we all were
assured that those who would be cut would get severance. However,
because of Austrian law, the typical U.S. approach didn't work. By law,
we had a workers' council ("Betriebsrat") in the company, comprising
company employees, elected by employees. They were not able to prevent
the layoffs (and that wasn't their mission). However, they were able
ensure that the layoff weren't the result of a short term need to
improve the bottom line, and they also gained several very important
concessions from the corporation, such as higher amounts of severance
tied to years of service and a system for allowing all volunteers leave
before any involuntary cuts would be made. I wasn't cut, but the
Betriebsrat did a lot of good, and we were all better off because of it.
The Betriebsrat worked because representatives had interests that were
identical with workers' interests. Employees were confident that the
corporation was hearing their concerns, and the upshot was that everyone
felt much better about the corporation--in spite of the layoffs.
Above and beyond that, because workers in places like Austria are able
or organize themselves (not necessarily in Detroit/Teamster style
unions), they have things like six months of stipended maternity and
paternity leave, 25 days of paid vacation per year, universal health
insurance, and unlimited sick time (which I never saw abused). And
before anyone soils himself about the evils of unions and socialism, let
me add that I am not advocating a socialist state. However, I would
point out that some countries that are more socialistic than Austria
(such as France--a nation for which I have no love and would not, in
most ways, want to emulate) exceed U.S. productivity in terms of G.D.P.
per hour worked
(http://www.forbes.com/2005/03/22/cx_da_0322topnews_print.html). And
before anyone's head explodes with the idea that such benefits require
much higher taxes, allow me to add that my taxes in Austria (which
included excellent health care) were no higher than the taxes I pay here
in the U.S. plus what I pay for insurance.
While Detroit/Teamster style unionization is currently unnecessary in
many industries, the evidence does not support the categorical
condemnation organizations that represent workers' interests.
Leonard
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Bill Swallow
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:53 AM
To: Geoff Hart
Cc: techwr-l List
Subject: Re: Tech Writer Lawsuit; STC position?
> Reluctantly, I must agree. This is exactly the kind of situation
> where STC should be shouting from the rooftops: "This is who we are,
> this is why we're important, and this is what happens when that
> importance is trivialized or outright ignored." Whether or not STC is
> or should be party to the suit, they should certainly step forward to
> provide expert witnesses and, not incidentally, gather in all
> possible publicity that can be gathered.
"We're not appreciated! We can't get no respect! We matter! We want
our mommies!!!!"
I would say that if the STC took action in this extreme exaggerated
manner, it would be a failure, and would be indicative of an
organization I would no longer want to be associated with.
Witness? Witness to what? A writer's job? Hell, we can't even come to
agreement on what that is here on techwr-l!
I think the STC is right to just stay out of it, but instead take
action BECAUSE of it to get the ol' house in order.
> STC should always try to play a role in establishing legal precedents
> that protect technical communicators and establish our importance and
> legal rights. This is what professional associations do all the time,
> and it's a shame we aren't doing it.
So long as the directions make sense. I've mentioned this before, but
the main reason I despise unions is that I want no one making
decisions for me out of 'my best interest'. The only entity that truly
has my best interests in mind is me.
> Again, I recognize that STC is going through difficult times, both
> financially and in terms of reorganizations and staffing. But
> important opportunities should not be missed.
Or rushed into unequipped. The STC is not equipped to take this on at
this time, IMHO.
--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter
STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
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