When we announced our member meeting attendance incentive at the end of last year, I was optimistic that it would increase member turnout. Just getting five or six new members to attend a Stewards' Council meeting each month is a significant accomplishment when viewed throughout the course of a year.
You surpassed our expectations! Sixty-seven members attended the January 16 Stewards' Council meeting, compared to an average of 25 members in 2007 - a 168 percent increase. It felt good to see so many members together and is a nice reminder of the reach of Local 688 throughout Missouri's economy.
In addition to the financial incentive for attendance, your Local 688 Executive Board has worked to make union meetings more relevant to your life. Take a sneak peak at the next two Stewards' Councils:
"September Massacre" on Wednesday February 20th at 7:00 p.m.: We'll have a presentation by labor attorney and expert Cary Hammond. Cary is managing partner at Hammond, Shinners, Turcotte, Larrew & Young, P.C. - a leading labor law firm in St. Louis whose focus is helping workers. Cary's presentation is titled "September Massacre." This September, the National Labor Relations Board issued a torrent of decisions, almost all of which were unfavorable to workers and their labor unions. What some labor lawyers are calling the "September Massacre" covered topics including card-check campaigns, permanent replacements of striking workers and company mergers. You'll have time for questions and are welcome to stay after the meeting for refreshments.
Identity Theft on March 19th at 7:00 p.m.: We'll present a seminar on how to protect yourself from identity theft. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country. The Federal Trade Commission reports that for the 4th year in a row identity theft topped the list of consumer complaints. Identity theft accounted for more than 42 percent from 2002. Ten million American consumers discovered their personal information had been used to open fraudulent bank, credit card, or utility accounts, or used to commit other crimes. More than 50 percent of identity theft victims were the victims of credit card and other types of account fraud.
Please call (314.513.5801) or email (mgoebel@688online.org) me with any questions or suggestions. It is an honor to serve you.
In Solidarity,
Mike Goebel
P.S. Stewards' Council is held the third Wednesday of each month. The meeting dates for 2008 are January 16, February 20, March 19, April 16, May 21, September 17, October 15 and November 19. We'd love to see you at a few of the meetings in 2008.
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