yesterday, as i was leaving to get my car fixed, i ran into al. he’s a nice guy, who also happens to be chief job steward. when he’s not trying to get me to work on the union website or fix up something in the collective agreement’s word processing, we have nice little chats about this and that. this time was something both humourous and frightening.
the admin department unit rep resigned a couple weeks back. susan had done it for several years and not many people blame her for getting burnt out, especially after that last set of negotiations. but, that’s left my department with two stewards who don’t want to move up a slot and a vacant seat on the executive board.
al was trying to gauge my interest in assuming the position. i almost laughed in his face. however, i did tell him how funny i thought that was. seems my name has been bandied about the executive in regards to this. why is it funny? i’m 28. i have no experience. i haven’t even been a steward. i have no training. i’m meek. and, worst of all, i hate confrontation.
on top of all that, i’m too much my father’s daughter and would probably side more with management than bargaining unit in most of the matters which i would be called upon to deal with. i hate to see people taking advantage or loop-holing, just because they have a union to back them up when they get caught. if you fuck up, you deserve what you get.
that being said, it would present a phenomenal opportunity for me. they’d happily send me for all the training i could handle, i’m well-liked by most everyone in admin, i’m well thought of by most of the union executive for work i’ve done for them in the past. it would afford me a lot of chances to grow as a person, work on my conflict resolution skills, for one.
the big stumbling block for me in considering this is my inate laziness. it would be a lot of bloody work. i wouldn’t have my off-hours to myself anymore. there would always be something i’d need to get done. i really like that i can leave my job at four and not have to think about it until seven the next day. free time would be a luxury, and i don’t know if i could handle it. i’d be a lot more comfortable becoming a steward first, then, maybe, thinking about moving up, some day.
i told al i would consider it, and i am. i still want to talk to both my parents about it, as they’ve sat on both sides of that table and can offer me some practical advice. come to think of it, it would be cool to know all the dirt going on…
you might end up like Jimmie Hoffa..
…and don’t think for one moment that i didn’t notice my link slide down you list… i used to be on top.. *sniff*
after long and thoughtful deliberation, i decided to alphabetize my list. yours is still the first i click every morning.
oooh- i’m on top of deadman!
I’m on top of all you bitches!!! Ooo, that was mean. hehehe :) Scott, don’t you wish you would have named my sight with something that begins with a Z. ;) Actually, as I was telling Scott the other day, I’m just very very grateful that you guys have a link to my sight. It makes me very very happy!!! Thanks!!!!
heather: you’re so sweet!
Goddess: site, not sight.
paige: get off me!
i thought that was beth.
i got off beth, but i’m staying on top of you. here, anyway. buck up, little camper- i won’t crush you.
yes, beth is the curator of “getoffme”, but I was telling paige to get off of me ’cause she said she was on top of me now… ah well, it’s not funny anymore.
heh. it’s even funnier that you felt the need to explain it when we already knew what you meant.