Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
What now?
My first effort this morning was to write about the Republican’t party and their troubles in both the House and the Senate. As a result of their confused and confusing state, the House can’t get anything done, and one Senator is holding up confirmed appointments in our Armed Services. I think another Senator is holding up the appointment of Ambassadors to Israel and Egypt. I just don’t get why more Americans aren’t calling out these dangerous activities and holding the party accountable.
I soon grew tired of talking about them and erased what I had written. I’ve got more pressing matters on my mind, like having made a decision to join the effort to unionize my workplace. There is a move afoot to bring in a union with ties to the AFL-CIO. Without spilling any secrets I can say we have reached the threshold of the number of card signers to justify a vote to unionize.
Senior management is now well aware of the union activity. There was a “town hall” staff meeting yesterday during which a number of staff members bravely came forward and voiced their approval of the union. I was one of them. I have written before about my situation of not knowing if there will be funding for my position for 2024. I am supposed to find out in December whether there is a place for me going forward. Some weeks ago I wrote the big bosses asking for an update on the funding availability. I have heard nothing back from either one. But there have been a rash of hirings and promotions that tell me there is money to go around.
In my cubby are three file drawers crammed with my clients. When you add their family members for whom I am working to get an immigration benefit, my case load is 60 people. I’ve also written that I am the intake person for the Immigration Law Program, so I get all the calls asking for legal assistance. I do this in 20 hours a week. If my position is phased out, three co-workers will have to absorb all of this, or someone will have to be hired to replace me.
When I worked as a nurse at Santa Fe Public Schools, I joined the Teacher’s union. My daughter is in a union representing Assistant Principals, and my son is in a union representing graduate students. My childrens’ father was a union member for years, with the Theatre and Stage Employees. You see their logo at the end of almost every movie you watch. If you go to the Muny or the Loretto Hilton Theater, you see the efforts of the union set builders. So I can say that I belong to a pro-union family.
When I spoke out yesterday at the staff meeting I did so believing that I have some protections from being let go. I am a 74 year old Lesbian. As such I believe I am in at least two protected categories. As a budding union member I also think I am protected by the National Labor Relations Board policies. This body forbids employers from interfering with or coercing employees who are engaged in joining a labor organization for collective bargaining purposes.
I have worked at my organization for over five years. We Immigration Law people tend to stay in our 12th floor corner and mind our own business. We are not big on joining festivities, or attending social event meetings. We simply work for our people and keep a low profile. Yesterday’s staff meeting was eye opening for me. People spoke out with great passion about the recent changes that affect their health and welfare. Because I am a part timer, the changes do not affect me. That doesn’t mean that I don’t feel solidarity with those who are affected. Other issues were raised and frustrations were voiced repeatedly. I left the meeting wondering how I missed all the angst that was expressed.
There is a lot more work to be done before the union becomes a reality. I will help when I can because it feels like the right thing to do. More will be revealed.