That Union Thing

Even Priests Want A Union

Following in the footsteps of a few rabbis and some 1500 priests in England, Canadian clergy members are now seeking union representation through the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Citing low pay, stressful working conditions, and psychological and physical abuse by parishioners, the clergy members feel a union presence will help them find relief that traditional church channels have been unable to provide.

Pro-union ministers hope to increase salaries while ending the current divisiveness caused by having to negotiate directly with leaders of their own congregations. They also hope the union will help clarify who is responsible for overseeing problems that are now often passed off from one part of the church to another. At the very least, the organizing campaign is creating a sense of community among previously isolated ministers and is allowing them to start dialogues about shared problems.

From AFL-CIO Work In Progress

ON TARGET WITH TEAMSTERS—In early November, nearly 40 officers in the Ocoee, Florida, Police Department voted to join Teamsters Local 385. The key issues for the officers include fair wages and equitable treatment in disciplinary actions.

 NEW PACT AT DISNEY—Workers at Walt Disney World in Buena Vista, Florida, will receive wage increases of 4 percent each year under a new three-year contract ratified November 18. The contract covers 22,000 workers represented by five unions—Teamsters, Theatrical Stage Employees, Transportation Communications Union, UNITE HERE and United Food and Commercial Workers.

 Fifty-six employees at the Spring Lake Nursing Home in Orlando, Florida, voted for UFCW Local 1625 on September 22.

IBT UP IN FALL--Thousands of workers won a voice on the job with the Teamsters this fall, including 1,000 municipal workers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who joined Local 769 on October 27. The majority of 30 sergeants and officers at the Maitland, Florida, Police Department recently voted to join Local 385.

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