What am I paying you guys for?

What am I paying you guys for?

Is the union really looking out for me or just the best interest of the representatives?

What good is the union?

Nothing’s going to change!

It doesn’t make a difference what I say.

I had to handle the problem myself because the union person told me they would not do anything.

I hear different version of these statements/questions several times a week when I talk to agents or just overhear conversations.

Many people have been personally burned or disappointed by an individual representative and have extrapolated that experience to every representative and e-board member. I am not about to try to defend every representative or e-board member. I know it has happened in the past and it will happen in the future, where a representative has less than honorable intentions for becoming and practicing as a union representative. Hell, that is one of the reason I became so involved in the union. It was because I experienced a representative first hand who was looking out for himself not the agent (yes, I am referring to you Mr. J. Carter).

The union is an entity that was created for and by the agents it represents. Representatives are simply extensions of the agents. Representatives are there to make sure the voice of the agent is heard in circles that believe they do not and should not have to listen to agents. This is the atmosphere we are in now. Our current “Command Staff” follows their leader Chief Fisher and Chief Aguilar in there march to the drums that beat the death song of union and bargaining rights. They do not believe the union represents the agents and will and have done everything they can to weaken the union by blaming the union for its own shortcomings. A perfect example is the Radar Screen work group. I cannot blame agents for being excited to be chosen and challenged to participate in dialogue to improve conditions in San Diego sector. You have to ask yourself how did they get to the point where the dialogue was necessary? You have to ask yourself why would managers want a dialogue with the agents? Ask yourself what is in it for the managers? If you believe Chief Fisher simply wants to ensure that his sector is doing everything it can to improve conditions for its agents you have to take into account a few facts.

Chief Fisher has dismantled the Union-Management work group.

Chief Fisher claims article 4 (look it up) of the contract in all labor disputes.

Chief Fisher at first would not meet with the union unless all e-board members came to the meeting in dress uniform.

Chief Fisher refuses to make any agreements with the union.

Chief Fisher refuses to notify the union of changes in working conditions.

Chief Fisher was hand picked by Chief Aguilar.

Does this sound like someone who wants the best possible conditions for his agents? Now, don’t get me wrong Chief Fisher is pro enforcement and that is a plus for our agency. The scary fact is that is a plus instead of a given. You would think that it would be an automatic thing that any manager of a law enforcement agency would be pro enforcement. Those of us who have work for managers who were not, know it is not a given with this agency (SCM is a perfect example).

The union has for years fought for the rights of the agents. Now, we have become labeled as a hindrance to the “Mission” by managers and this is believed by many agents. Let me explain why managers need you to believe this. They need you believe this because if agents realized how much they are being deceived by managers for the sake of the mission and their careers agents would have to question every statement made by a manager. Agents would have to ask the questions managers can’t answer.

Questions like:

Why haven’t managers allowed the HIP program to be implemented?

Why did SDC change the job swap program without the union’s input?

Why won’t SDC sign a sector detail policy?

Why are agents being mandated to the academy for 8 months to a year at a time?

Why did IMB flex before it was ready?

Why aren’t manager’s held accountable for their action, yet agents are told everyday they are held to a higher standard?

Why did sector create a work group to get ideas the union has been presenting for years?

I know I am rambling now but I want to make it clear. As Agents you have choice to make. Believe what managers are telling you or get involved and find out the truth for yourself. Go to a meeting, pull a couple of representatives aside and ask some questions. I trust every agent to see the truth and work with the union to improve things.

As the union we will continue to endeavor to represent each and every agent to the best of our ability. We are attempting to train more representatives and to get additional training for the representatives we have. Although we representatives are not perfect we are trying. So, all I ask is let us know what you want/need/think and we will do whatever we can to make it happen. The union needs the members to work with us so that we can work for you.

The union has made some additions to the website so sign up for the email notifications and/or the blogs.

Thank you for letting me serve as one of your representatives.

Terence L. Shigg

Fair Practices Coordinator

NBPC Local 1613