Strike Fund Update

Back in 2001 the members of this Local Union democratically voted on developing a tool which we can use daily for our future existence. A strike fund which the members will allocate $5.00 per month along with their membership dues towards. This tool is used on the negotiating table, organizing as well as during a strike. To date the fund has grown to over four million dollars and continues to grow each month. This fund has become our major weapon on the negotiating table which allows us to negotiate a better agreement.

Throughout this issue of the newsletter there are articles on the importance of organizing. In order for organizing to be effective and successful there needs to be resources to fund their success. As you are aware Local 701 utilizes a very aggressive method of organizing car dealers through strikes for recognition. This has been the most successful means to defeat the company and eliminate the election process. We have the ability through this fund and with the approval from the Executive Board to increase the amount of strike pay paid to each picketer. This additional pay allows a striker the ability to cripple the company by remaining on the street to win what is deserved - a Union contract.

With the recent ratification of the car dealer contract there has been some concern regarding discontinuing the additional money which goes towards the strike fund. The discussion was brought forward at a recent monthly membership meeting and was resoundingly rejected. The membership realizes that this is an important tool which allows the Union to negotiate a better agreement and to continue to grow. With more members we have the ability to continue to negotiate better successor agreements. It is with these agreements that we base others in the industry from.

There are a few members which comment that this is a fund "which I will never use" so they feel they should not have to contribute. Let's hope that no one has to use it. Consider it rather as a cheap insurance policy which every member contributes to for each other’s benefit if needed. It is there to grow each month with our contributions. No one can ever predict a strike so how can anyone feel they will never use the resource? Whether you personally use it or not - it still helps in some form for the entire Union membership.

The fund is not just there for a strike benefit -
                                                      - it’s also there to hopefully prevent one.