Fuel for Growth

An Incentive Program for Local 688 Members.

Let's face it. Life can be a bit of a juggling act. If financial pressures aren't enough, time management is an even bigger issue.

Kids, family, job, friends, church, community and yes, your union, all compete for limited time. It is clear from meeting attendance rates across the United States that unions aren't winning that competition.

We must change to compete.

That is why Local 688's Executive Board decided to take an unbiased look at how we communicate with members. There is one clear mission: increasing member education and participation. Local 688's Executive Board is comprised of former and current stewards who know from firsthand experience how important an educated, active membership is to our union.

We formed a rank-and-file Blue Ribbon Committee on Member Outreach that met on Tuesday, October 2 to provide feedback and ideas to our independent consultant, Ed Finkelstein, Publisher of the Labor Tribune and President of Unicom. The meeting provided an opportunity for members throughout all industries in Local 688 to share thoughts on every aspect of the organization: service, communication, education, participation, etc. The process is representative of the best of what Local 688 has to offer: member-driven leadership that makes our union progressive. The Committee will continue to add value to our union through its feedback on specifics of any member involvement plan.

Based upon feedback provided in the meetings, we are launching a two-part member attendance incentive program starting in January 2008.

1. Stewards' Council: Two raffles will be conducted at each meeting for $250 and $100 gift cards to Shop N' Save or Schnucks-both Local 688 member-supplied grocery chains. Stewards Council is held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the following months at Local 688's meeting center on 4349 Woodson Road: January, February, March, April, May, September, October and November. All members are invited-steward and non-steward—and eligible to win. Members can only win once throughout the year.
2. Membership Meetings: Members will get a chance in a December 2008 drawing for either a $1,500 or $500 gift card to Sears-where Local 688 service technicians work. Members earn a chance for each regular shop membership meeting that they attend throughout the year. Membership meetings are held in January, March, May, September and November.

I encourage you to attend the Stewards' Council at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16 at Teamsters Local 688's meeting center on 4349 Woodson Road—whether you are a steward or not. Obviously, modest incentives are only a small part of a larger program. I will present Local 688's plan to increase its capabilities in member education, involvement and communication.

I realize you hear this a great deal but your involvement can make the difference.

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.