The Fight to Save Collective Bargaining Rights of DoD Workers

Our National Unions steering committee is kicking off the first phase of our fight to save collective bargaining rights of DOD workers at the National Level with lobbying, coordinating, planning a legal battle in the courts when the DOD implements NSPS, using the resources of the AFL-CIO. The most important phase is at each of our local MTCs.  The local MTC program should consist of:

1. Issue handbilling our bargaining units to educate everyone exactly what is at stake if DOD gets to implement NSPS as their "concepts." Many don't understand what NSPS really is.
2. Advertise a lunch and Learn meeting with all hands to discuss NSPS
3. At the Lunch and Learn pass out voter registration cards, have the employees sign letters to their Congressmen and Senators opposing DOD blanket waiving Title 5 chapter 71 and asking for them to hold hearings
4. Ask the employees to help by becoming an "E" activist on the AFL-CIO email program
5. Ask the non members to help us in this fight by becoming a union member and signing a dues authorization form.
6. During the April 5-13 congressional recess, having groups of knowledgeable union members set up appointments with Congressmen and Senators at their local district offices over NSPS— asking them to sign on to Congressman Van Hollen letter...
7. When DOD issues its formal NSPS proposal to all the National Unions, (currently scheduled for April 20, 2004) set up local demonstrations/informational picketing, talk to the press with our talking points on NSPS downloadable from this site.

This is a fight where failure is not an option. If George Bush steals another election, it won't matter. I believe the American people will vote to change the direction of America and give Bush his layoff notice, effective January 21, 2005. A new administration will repeal this trash. This is labor's fight- not just those Department of Defense workers who happen to be the current front line warriors in the battle to destroy unions in America. If Bush succeeds in taking away collective bargaining rights of these 724,000 workers, our DOE, Service Contract, Davis-Bacon and any union with members that work on any program that receives federal money will be next on the front line of this war....

Thank you for your support and cooperation,
In Solidarity,
 
Ron Ault, President
Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO