New Year ToDo List.

I'm running for re-election, this time is special for many reasons, but here is the main issue and I can't get around it. Bargaining.

The position will put me on the bargaining team and for almost all of my past involvement, this has been elusive to me. Mostly because the positions I held in the past were outside of that group. I would hear of some information that was allowed to be spoken about, but I could never sit and be a part of those conversations.

This contract is going to be especially difficult for a few reasons. We have just experienced a 4% raise in a market that is about to highlight how bad the economy is. The council has decided to take a 2% cut in pay which will probably be used as a litmus test to see if they can attempt it on its many unionized workforce who are entering negotiations this year. Contract language will likely be a concentrated contingent to this contract. Our sub-locals are looking at 2% this year, and with the market the way it is, it comes down to how fast the rebound happens. Communication is tough when in negotiations, and I have always hoped for a better way to get information out there. In the end it comes down to bargaining in good faith. In order to do that we need to be able to establish a safe space for the bargaining committee.

Okay guys, here is what I want. It is what I wanted to do ever since I was first elected. I have made some strides, and blunders. In the end it comes down to this. How do I reach more than 20% of the membership? This was my answer, the website. However it is only a tool. In order to use the tool I need to get better at posting.

So in the new year I am going to do a few things,

1. I am going to post all of the steward mail outs on this page, 
2. I am going to start a mailing list (moderated by me) to get information out to you about contract negotiations, social events, recent news, and important bulletins.
3. I am going to try to start a podcast where I can reach more of you, 
4. I am going to run for my position again with the intention that if I can reach more than 20% of the membership, I will consider running for a full time position.
5. I am going to try to create a map of all of the City of Calgary locations where our members reside.

You will start to see posters come out, I can only hope you will vote for me as you have in the past. Thanks for your time, and support.