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bilproject · 12-05-2008, 07:03 PM

Having a union enter the workplace is like having your kids hire a nanny and tell you to go through her if you want them to do anything. Meredith should not spend all their energy and resources on fighting the organization effort. It sounds like it is pretty far along. They should however, ask their employees for a cooling off period to discuss issues that have led to employees feeling they need an outside voice to speak for them. The town fathers might find that many of the issues can be resolved at little or no real dollar cost.
I would suggest a citzen advisory committee meet with both the workers and town and present a case to both parties together. The committee could be made up of towns people from labor and business. After they have a good feeling form both what each side finds good and bad about the other, the committee would report their findings to both sides at the same time.
Both sides would have to understand that this is an airing out of what they like as well as what they dislike about the relationship and work environment. The idea is to start a diologe that has definitly been missing. Things that can be fixed quickly should be done quickly and so on.
This approach has worked in many an organizing effort and preserved the employer-employee relationship. They need to remember that many of these employees are also their neighbors.
I don't think the town has anything to worry about on the wage issue at this stage. I could'nt think of a worst time in my 32 year in business of asking for anything new. In fact if Meredith DPW workers can maintain their current salary, most of their benefits and keep most of the workers working they will be doing great. The way I see the numbers most states, counties and local municipal governments will be faced with a 20-30% reduction in revenue. They will not just be able to raise taxes as they have in the past. Cuts are the only answer That stone is just about bled out! If Meredith thinks the second home market can absorb increases I would suggest they contact the shore communities on Long Beach Island here in NJ and ask them about all the 2-3mil dollar houses in forclosure, for sale, and up for tax auction.

12-05-2008, 07:03 PM	#24
bilproject Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bear Island/Fort Myers, Fla Posts: 231 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 59 Times in 41 Posts	Meredith Should Ask For A Second Chance Having a union enter the workplace is like having your kids hire a nanny and tell you to go through her if you want them to do anything. Meredith should not spend all their energy and resources on fighting the organization effort. It sounds like it is pretty far along. They should however, ask their employees for a cooling off period to discuss issues that have led to employees feeling they need an outside voice to speak for them. The town fathers might find that many of the issues can be resolved at little or no real dollar cost. I would suggest a citzen advisory committee meet with both the workers and town and present a case to both parties together. The committee could be made up of towns people from labor and business. After they have a good feeling form both what each side finds good and bad about the other, the committee would report their findings to both sides at the same time. Both sides would have to understand that this is an airing out of what they like as well as what they dislike about the relationship and work environment. The idea is to start a diologe that has definitly been missing. Things that can be fixed quickly should be done quickly and so on. This approach has worked in many an organizing effort and preserved the employer-employee relationship. They need to remember that many of these employees are also their neighbors. I don't think the town has anything to worry about on the wage issue at this stage. I could'nt think of a worst time in my 32 year in business of asking for anything new. In fact if Meredith DPW workers can maintain their current salary, most of their benefits and keep most of the workers working they will be doing great. The way I see the numbers most states, counties and local municipal governments will be faced with a 20-30% reduction in revenue. They will not just be able to raise taxes as they have in the past. Cuts are the only answer That stone is just about bled out! If Meredith thinks the second home market can absorb increases I would suggest they contact the shore communities on Long Beach Island here in NJ and ask them about all the 2-3mil dollar houses in forclosure, for sale, and up for tax auction.