1.
Is the
North Texas
Association of Public
Employees (NTAPE) a
Union
?
2.
So what is the difference?
3.
How much does it cost to join the Association?
4.
Where is that written that the dues can change? It isn't on the
Representation/Dues Deduction card? Can it change with out our permission?
5.
Will the association ever call a strike?
6.
How are the Steelworkers going to help us?
7.
I'm going to retire soon, why should I bother joining the association?
8.
How does the association work? Will we have representatives here in
Dallas
?
9.
Does NTAPE have a web page?
10.
Can I get in trouble for joining the association, or trying to convince my
co-workers to join?
11.
Where can we see a copy of the By Laws of
NTAPE?
Is
the
North Texas
Association of Public
Employees (NTAPE) a
Union
?
NTAPE is an association not a
Union
, but it is an
affiliate of the United Steelworkers of America one of the largest
labor organizations in the country.
So
what is the difference?
Unions
negotiate legal binding contracts, associations use solidarity and political
pressure to persuade politicians to change or enact rules and guidelines.
Your vote is your power, so if you are not registered to vote we will be
having a voter registration drive, or you may fill out a voter registration
card at any post office.
How
much does it cost to join the Association?
After
we reach a substantial number will hold a membership meeting at that time we
will tell you that we are turning in your Dues Deduction cards, and we will
start nominations for your Local Union officers. The association dues will
be 1% of your gross monthly income not to exceed $20 per month. Example; an
employee making $800 dollars in two weeks will pay $8 that pay check.
Another example; an employee making $1000 dollars in a month will pay $10
dollars that month, but no one will pay more than $20.00 a month.
NEED A
CARD TO SIGN UP? CLICK HERE
Where
is that written that the dues can change? It isn't on the
Representation/Dues Deduction card? Can it change with out our permission?
The
United Steelworkers dues structure can only be changed at a Constitutional
Convention by a majority vote of the delegates attending the convention.
Your Local along with all other Locals will have delegates attending that
convention to vote on your behalf.
Will
the association ever call a strike?
No, as
county employees you do not have the right to strike or collectively
bargain, but you can join an organization to represent you in wages, hours,
and other conditions of employment. The more public employees we organize in
the State the better chance we have of passing a State Law giving you the
right to collectively bargain with the city.
How
are the Steelworkers going to help us?
Well
that all depends on how many of you join the association and how quickly.
The police and fire department represent a very high percentage of
members. The City of
Dallas
represent a large number
of employees, and are gaining more every day. No association with a low
percentage of members is going to be listened to. Also we are facing a
deadline. If you want to be listened to, you need to get the maximum amount
of members joined up as fast as
possible, so you can speak with one voice.
In
other words people... there is no time to sit on the fence.
I'm
going to retire soon, why should I bother joining the association?
If you
join the association before you retire several things happen. One of course,
is that you help your fellow employees by making the association stronger.
Another is that the Steelworkers have an organization for retired
members called Soar. It is a mutual assistance organization, which
focuses attention on the special problems and needs faced by pensioners and
their spouses. The Soar members are also active on both the retired issues
and those of the association, helping out when non-retired members can't get
off work to make meetings and rallies.
How
does the association work? Will we have representatives here in
Dallas
?
The
association has members who are active in the organization who get elected
to the various positions in the Local Union. You will have five officers,
trustees, guards, and stewards for each department. If you have a problem or
concern, you can contact them on your own time, (i.e.: lunch, break, before
or after work) and they will help you by contacting someone to advise you on
your problem, or by finding out answers and getting the information back to
you. You will also have a representative from the International Union who
will be assisting the officers of your Local Union with grievances. We are
currently staying here in
Dallas
and will have an office
Dallas.
Does
NTAPE have a web page?
Well
yes, this is the very beginning of it. Also we have one for the
International Union USWA, but
that one doesn't have a section for the NTAPE concerns.
Can
I get in trouble for joining the association, or trying to convince my
co-workers to join?
No, it
is not against the law for you to join an association according to the state
labor code (101.001), and you can join with out fear of retaliation.
Remember, you cannot strike or collectively bargain, but you can organize
and lobby like the police and fire departments do. As far as convincing your
co-workers, you are allowed to do it if you are not on county time, so
during lunch, break, or before and after shift start you can talk to them
about it.
Where can we see a copy of the By Laws of
NTAPE?
Just
press on this link. NTAPE By Laws.
