May 9, 2007
The Perks They Don't Give You
We've heard from a number of Stewards that some managers have been playing the game of "blame the union" when folks have asked about more money or another week of vacation— telling people, "Sorry. Can't do it. The union has rules."
Nonsense. Utter and complete nonsense.
Management can give you more money, more vacation time, more sick leave— or even a car and driver just like Rich Zannino has— any
time it wants to. Your boss might not have that authority— but his boss's boss does.
They can— but they won't— and easier for them to say "the union has rules" than to tell you the truth.
Here's the truth: the contract (those union "rules" managers find so difficult) outlines the minimums— not the maximums.
There's nothing in any "union rules" that would deny you more money, more vacation days or any other perk you can imagine. In fact, the next time your boss tells you he can't give you something because of "union rules," let me know. We'll send him an IAPE coupon, waiving those mythical "rules."
Steve Yount
President
IAPE CWA 1096