As the day of local union elections approaches (May 2) the reality of actually having to do the job you are running for starts to feel like a real possibility. What to expect when you’re expecting offers some perspective on how to make your time in office good for you and the local!
We’re all busy, and it can be painful to give nights and weekends, or even a whole week, over to a class on bargaining or arbitration. But these are the skills you will use for the rest of your time in the labor movement. You can either keep faking it and hope you’re never really tested, or you can buy some books (see box) and get trained.
I recommend that you start taking classes even before you run for office, and of course don’t stop once you win. Make sure your local commits staff time and money to an ongoing training plan for each employee.
(graphic via freeimage)
