Members First can be contacted by E-MAIL by clicking here

Members First Initiative             PHONE (612) 298-0006

3535 22nd Ave SO.

Mpls. MN.    55407

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Text Box: Posted 9/1/2005                                                                                                                                                     I like the new web site. I also like the fact that as union members we have a place to turn and find out our rights and also are shown our responsibilities. Thank you for getting this started. Local 10 has needed this for a long time. Marty Weninger - Journeyman Local 10

 

 

 

Text Box: --OUR EDITORIAL POLICY-- To our readers: This Website is the alternative voice of your local Union, written by and for the membership exclusively. This is the only vehicle for bringing to you, on a regular basis, the views and actions of the leaders you elected, so that you may evaluate them. This Website is not sponsored, approved, or subject to the elected officers of Local #10. Through this publication, we explain union politics, decisions, administrative policies, and show how your dues are spent. We report on all subject matter related to our trade, and welcome articles, opinions, and stories from all our members. All articles should contribute positively to the welfare of this Union and it's members. We will accept no personal attacks on any union leader or member. We will accept a thoughtful discussion of all related issues in the letters column. We reserve the right to reply to those that seem to reflect a misunderstanding of the union and its policies. Thanks for your support, and we look forward to hearing from you. 612-298-0006

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Posted 11/01/05 Hi Dustin, Don Larson here. Glad to see you have the web site up and running. It's great, I can see you've been hard at work on it. I've been pumping up the guys on my job about getting involved with this group to bring about positive changes that are much needed. I'm printing out the latest LM reports to bring in tomorrow that should get them cranked up a bit. Thanks again for all your hard work and leadership in this. Don

 

Text Box: Posted 11/29/05 I have a question for the members of local 10. Why do we give our agents 3 weeks paid vacation, paid holidays, sick days [unlimited] ,when they can't or won't negotiate any for us. We pay for these benefits through our ever increasing dues. I feel they should be willing to work for the same contract that they negotiate  for us. Every 3 Years, right before the elections, the members vote on a package for the agents. Maybe this time we should decide what they get instead of just accepting what they propose.   Any other opinions?                              Steve Richie                                                                                                                             

 

 

Text Box: Posted 9/1/05 I like the Swing the Vote handbill. This should be a button given out at the picnic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Posted 11/05/05 Ps. You will get a kick out of this. XXXX XXXXXX came to my job site about a month or two ago. I told him I think we need to find a better way to fund our health insurance. First he tried to blame it all on GW Bush, then came the funny part he told me it would be a lot more money per month if it wasn't subsidized by the union!  We only pay a fraction of the actual cost. Can you tell me where that money comes from to subsidize? I sure don't know

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Posted 11/06/05 Maybe XXXXX was talking about the subsidy for retirees and maybe it also is under-employed that it doesn't get enough hours. seems to me that the plan has always needed more than the minimum amount of hours and the tinners who work more hours do the sub.    Ron Nelson

Text Box: Posted 12/13/05 Thoroughly enjoyed the newsletter and website and recognize a motor for positive change when I see one.   Thank You                                              Curt Hrabe

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Posted 2/16/06 VIA PHONE I can’t afford not to help. I’ve got to many years into this… If everybody turns their back on this, there won’t be anymore union. I really like the Newsletter keep up the good work.                       Fred V.

 

Text Box: Posted 12/27/05 Via Phone I liked the newsletter, Members First, I think it’s a good thing, I would like to see changes in the amount of monthly hours required to maintain coverage.                        Ryan Sherry

Text Box: Posted 2/17/06 Dustin ,    I always come away from our conversations with new ideas ! What do you think about on the next contract if the negotiating committee had the employers add an extra 10cents to the JATC for journeyman to get a per diem for taking a 40hour or longer class industry related. This would accomplish multiple goals improving our chances of getting a state comp card by showing the continuous education we have, getting more money from the contractors (since its cheaper for them to give us fringes versus pay) plus the obvious benefit of a more up to date work force which benefits everybody. Ron N.

Text Box: Posted  3/18/06 Sorry I missed the meeting, keep me posted. I would like to help to make our Local stronger and better for all the tinners. I'm a new Contractor and struggling to get jobs due to non-union pricing and would like the guys to be more involved in future meetings to better our Local.         Thanks, Kevin Cooper Integrity Heating, Inc.  

Text Box: Posted 3/1/06 It’s been too long since our members have had to wait for an organization like this. I do believe there is a better way for members to be treated and heard in our local. How can we be strong in our trade when we are not even strong in our union! I hope your group can provide change in our elections this June!                                                                         Greg L.

Text Box: Posted 3/23/06 I found your site through the AUD link.  I'm a tinbanger out of local 20 in fort Wayne in.  I had already found the financial discloser site with the DOL  and find it very interesting.  local 20 just put together a committee to restructure our dues.  which presently we have a .30 an hour check off for youth to youth  $52.00 a month for nonworking dues or $122.00 if you work over 24 hours in a month.  The idea is to go to a percentage basis.  looking at the LM-2 reports a member can see the budget or lack of a budget that the union operates under. Its funny that I should find this site today I was just talking to another member this morning that we needed an outlet like this in the local 20 area  but also one that reaches all the members of the SMWIA. keep up the good work in keeping those in control honest. In union solidarity                                                 M. L.  Fort Wayne, IN.