Management right

As you are aware on December 15, 2010 the management has come out with a new policy of ‘zero tolerance for mobile communication devices and other electronic devices’. With this new policy we have heard numerous stories and some wild ones being perpetuated by the management. Our Local 100 president John Samuelsen has not come with a forceful response against this new policy, and we will give him the benefit of doubt by saying that he might be considering all his options. However if that is not the case then the management has thrown its weight around and the new policy will take effect on January 12, 2011.

Samuelsen must curtail the management and the Local 100 must strike down this policy because it will only create headache for Local 100. Samuelsen must force the management to share in their decision making especially in matters that may affect members of the Local 100. This should not be viewed as a ‘management right’ and Samuelsen should limit what the management can do. We have heard stories that members were required to sign acknowledgement for this new policy, and if they refused then they would not receive their paychecks. Local 100 must respond immediately in a manner of protecting the membership before this policy takes effect.

There is no question that the tenor of the new policy is tough and in your face. Now the Local 100 must be bold, brash and intelligent in dealing with this policy. However Samuelsen cannot allow management to have a totalitarian mentality. Instead he should present an assessment of this ‘zero tolerance for mobile communication devices and other electronic devices’ that is different from the management’s point of view.