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Dear George, In response to the question raised in the article about SUUVA/CWA on your website, "when is a union not a union?", I would submit to you that based on my experience over the last 20yrs as a union leader that one thing is for sure…We are not defined by the presence or absence of collective bargaining laws as seems to be implied in the article. Nor are we successful or not successful based solely on how many workers have joined to date. (By the way, we also include The Graduate Labor Union, GLU, as part of our union family and when their numbers are included they are quite a bit higher than what is stated in the article). Having been a local union president for many years in private sector settings I can assure you that even where we do have collective bargaining rights, the fact of the matter is that contracts don't happen without a mobilized, proactive membership speaking together as one voice against corporate greed, even in an atmosphere where striking (which of course is prohibited for public workers here) is often not an effective strategy. A signed contract is for the most part merely an affirmation of the workers solidarity and collective actions. I feel in fact that many of these progressive union tactics to move large employers, both public and private, along with the fact that we have built a powerful voice on campuses in other "right to work for less" states make CWA uniquely qualified to help SUUVA/GLU build the same type of power here at UVA. We know that it will not be an overnight success. There is indeed much fear and lack of education about even the basic right to belong to the union that we are fighting to overcome. There have been many successes already for SUUVA both big and small. In the past year we took a representative group of leaders from the staff union and GLU and held a private meeting with Governor Warner in Richmond to discuss WORKERS issues at UVA. When is the last time that happened? As more people become aware of all that is being done, this will help to create an atmosphere where membership increases. As this occurs we become more powerful and are able to do more. Hopefully folks understand the "chicken and the egg" concept and understand that their $10.70 is as much an investment in future dividends as it is today's returns. You have to build the foundation before you can start on the house. In summation our union here at UVA is very much the real thing. We are defined by the working men and women that are our members and the leaders that they have elected… People who are standing up in the face of tough odds to fight for social justice, dignity and respect, both in the workplace and in the community. Our greatest challenge will not be the absence of enabling legislation. It will be changing opinions that continue to perpetuate "the plantation mentality" alluded to in your article. It is a fight that has only just begun. Respectfully,
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