I'm just wondering why district union meetings can't be conducted via Zoom or some other platform. Traveling, which is often a good distance of 45 minutes or more, is probably a big reason why more carriers aren't involved in the union. Don't you think many would log on to an online meeting? I definitely would. Perhaps the meeting could be held on location and those who wanted to attend in person could do that, but allow other members to participate virtually. I've never been in an online meeting, so I don't know how it's done. People are always saying get involved. By making meetings accessible to people, it could be a big jumpstart towards rallying members. It's not out of laziness that people don't attend meetings. It's just so old-fashioned and inconvenient. Why not take advantage of technology?
Meetings Online
- Thread starter Bukowski
- Start date
Are.See.Eh
Active member
This was brought up at a meeting I was at a few years ago and it was said that the cost would be too much! Not exactly sure what cost they were referring to exactly.
It seems to me that there is the sense of “if I can make it to this meeting, so can you” mentality within the union which is a real shame. The goal should be to communicate with your members, not to be snobs
It seems to me that there is the sense of “if I can make it to this meeting, so can you” mentality within the union which is a real shame. The goal should be to communicate with your members, not to be snobs
I think membership would increase if meetings were online. Meetings could even happen more frequently that way. The union's strength would increase by having more and more people informed of issues and what could be done about them. I don't see how this old time way of conducting meetings will survive. You have all these young people who've never known a life that wasn't online joining the ranks. I can't see the 20-somethings continuing this tradition. Maybe somebody tech-savvy just needs to step in and explain how it could be done. I don't know what the cost part could be either other than I believe platforms may charge a fee for certain levels of engagement? I would imagine the fees aren't astronomical and could be covered by dues or maybe people could pay a small fee to join in? Just imagine, though, being able to work your day and not have to go back out for a long drive in the dark and getting home past when you perhaps go to bed--am I the only one who can't keep my eyes open after 9 pm? 
jaymacgthree
Well-known member
There are free options. Or they could simply use the thousands of dollars generated by union dues to have a platform host. The problem is they couldn't exclude people as easily in favor of retired carriers that haven't done the job in years.
AtomWaffles
Well-known member
The last union meeting we had here in my district was at place called Bombshells, which, if you don’t know, the waitresses wear even less clothes, and reveal more skin than Hooters and host lingerie nights….. Not sure whose idea it was but I think they’ve completely dropped the facade of trying to be inclusive, convenient or even professional
U caught my attention
Well-known member
How would voting occur on a zoom meeting? If someone suggests a motion and then the body has to vote. How would that occur?
EthelAnne
Well-known member
By raising hands or by typing in chat.
I’ve been in a lot of Zoom meetings. Not everyone is adept at using technology or has access to it.
Suggest a motion???? What kind of union meetings do you guys have. They won’t answer any questions or take any contract suggestions at our meetings. They talk about the convention, read the minutes some other nonsense stuff and that’s it. No open discussion no Q&A. We are told to contact the area rep with any issues, which is told to us by our local president.
EthelAnne
Well-known member
I’ll preface my comment by saying that my expertise is not in the area of the local chapters of the NRLCA, but maybe this will explain a bit and others can chime in:
Ok, your local union meeting is not where you need to bring questions or issues that have to do with potential grievances. That’s not what local officials (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) do and that’s not what these meetings are for—the National Steward System handles grievances and is best able to answer questions about the contract. So your local president is correct when they direct you to speak with your office steward, area steward, ADR or DR with those questions.
So what does the local union do? Lots if them organize fellowship type events (think picnics, group outings, etc.), some offer scholarship money to members children (and grandchildren), they collect donations for the political action committee, and they send delegates to the state, regional, and national conventions and conferences. Probably the most important thing they do is develop resolutions that will be brought to the conventions and maybe eventually wind up in our contract.
Just about all that stuff that I just mentioned gets voted on by the membership: Should we spend $200 on supplies for a summer picnic? Should we award a $500 scholarship to a student? Should we bring this resolution to the state convention?
The meetings are supposed to follow Robert’s Rules Of Order which is where the reading of (and voting on) the minutes, the making motions and seconding motions and all that comes from (I know nothing about this but you can look up that topic easily enough).
If you have a “suggestion” about the contract—that would be a resolution, and your local should dedicate a meeting to the topic where members are encouraged to offer resolutions and then everyone votes on which ones to present to the state convention. Now if you’re going to a meeting when that topic is not on the agenda (usually that’s a topic for the meeting right before the convention) then you might be told to save that for another time.
If I have anything wrong here, I know the smart people on this site will correct me.
TL/DR: Grievances and questions about the contract need to go to a steward (local, area, ADR, or DR), not the officers of the local chapter of the NRLCA.
Last edited:
U caught my attention
Well-known member
Last edited:
As have I. Lots. It's not as easy to conduct and operate as common sense would indicate.
But don't you think it's time to start making the change? The technology has been around for quite some time and a younger generation is indeed coming in. Old time ways of meeting are not in their realm of understanding. Honestly, old time ways of meeting are not even in a lot of us older peoples' understanding anymore. As far as people not being adept at using technology, idk . . . Seems they would be in the minority now. Technology is part of our everyday lives. I've never been in a zoom meeting, but I feel 100% confident I could figure out how to log on and attend because I use technology daily in every other way the average person does. These things are user friendly and really not all that hard. It's probably even less complicated than RRECS and the scanner!
They're common place now. Just think of the participation that would happen!
gotstamps
Well-known member
Most locals do not gain any funds for from the dues being paid. The Secretary/Treasurer is only the Secretary since there is no treasure. Meeting locations are charging for use & people don’t want to pitch in for that as is so to have them pay more dues to pay for Zoom or whatever likely wouldn’t go over well.
In my local, hardly anyone shows & most offices are within 30 minutes from the County Seat where meetings are held. Elections are held annually in locals so that typically needs to be done in person.
PLUS… how am I supposed to get door prizes & a ditty bags if it’s only online?
Our area covers 5 counties, they generally choose the cheapest option. Means 40 minutes one way except spring when they come to about 35 min away.Most locals do not gain any funds for from the dues being paid. The Secretary/Treasurer is only the Secretary since there is no treasure. Meeting locations are charging for use & people don’t want to pitch in for that as is so to have them pay more dues to pay for Zoom or whatever likely wouldn’t go over well.
In my local, hardly anyone shows & most offices are within 30 minutes from the County Seat where meetings are held. Elections are held annually in locals so that typically needs to be done in person.
PLUS… how am I supposed to get door prizes & a ditty bags if it’s only online?
Zoom could be held by state and or national and used by area with no issues. It’s just plain ineptness on our national side by not doing this. It took them how many decades to even start using it for messages nationally.
I don't think tech is a barrier. Rather, first is cost. Union has no funds for Zoom. Second, there'd have to be some way to limit input, as one of the issues with Zoom meetings is EVERYONE wants to say something, and after the first or second person it's all redundant. Everyone feels they should offer input. Participants stray off topic, redundant etc. Impractical to implement.But don't you think it's time to start making the change? The technology has been around for quite some time and a younger generation is indeed coming in. Old time ways of meeting are not in their realm of understanding. Honestly, old time ways of meeting are not even in a lot of us older peoples' understanding anymore. As far as people not being adept at using technology, idk . . . Seems they would be in the minority now. Technology is part of our everyday lives. I've never been in a zoom meeting, but I feel 100% confident I could figure out how to log on and attend because I use technology daily in every other way the average person does. These things are user friendly and really not all that hard. It's probably even less complicated than RRECS and the scanner!
gotstamps
Well-known member
So who’s gonna stay late every week to handle the computer side of the Zoom? Nat’l is over on the East side of the country so No tech guy is gonna work morning to late night to accommodate all hours of the evening. Can’t leave it to the states as they is no State Union System anymore & States don’t have the budget to pay for a Board member or Tech guy to run those. Some states may only have 1-10 Locals. That’s not true for the larger states that have thousands of members & 70-100 locals.
It’s hard enough getting people across the country to attend a Zoom for Ratification. Gotta look at the bigger picture. JS
I get that, but needs to be some compromise. Even the ability to just view the meeting the day or days after would be a step forward imo. Much like don has started to record updates to view and make us feel like we have some information. I haven’t been around near as long as many of you, but I feel a little more connected with Union due to dons updates.
