There is no question that telecommunications bargaining will be most difficult this year. But the competitive pressures that these companies are now under put us in a strong position to press our demands. When we expand the number of union jobs in the industry, we increase their employment security by making more jobs available to them to transfer into or for advancement. When the number of union jobs goes down, while the non-union jobs go up, our members have fewer career opportunities. As your bargaining unit prepares for bargaining, I urge you to participate in mobilization activities.
Management dreads it.
Effective mobilization can bring enormous pressure on a company to settle fairly with us. If you are not in bargaining, please be prepared to support our members who may need your help this year. There are already about 40 open seats up for election in the U.S. House of Representatives. There is only about a one-seat margin of difference now between the Republicans and the Democrats. The outcome of every race in the U.S. House of Representatives is vital to our future.