Voice Of The Engineer (VOTE) - Community Action Teams
Introduction
Business Manager Russ Burns holds the fundamental belief that Local 3’s greatest strength and source of power is an involved and mobilized membership. Putting those words into action is the Local 3 VOTE program, formerly the Operating Engineers Community Action Team (OE CAT). From its beginning in 2000, the VOTE program was envisioned as a program to build power and strength for working people through the election of labor-friendly candidates and legislation. VOTE stands for Voice of the Engineer.
All citizens are challenged to make their communities a better place to live and work. Local 3 meets the challenge by building a stronger union through member mobilization. We know we can win if we are willing to mobilize in the fight for social and economic justice.
The support of the current administration for the VOTE program and the dedication of increasing numbers of member activists continue to make Local 3 one of labor’s greatest success stories. Local 3 members are on the front lines at city council meetings, jobsite actions and pickets. During election season, members are phone banking and walking precincts to get out the vote for our endorsed candidates. This grassroots support demonstrates the conviction that Local 3 is indeed “doing the right thing.”
To date, members and their families have donated thousands of volunteer hours to the VOTE program. This translates as the political power that puts a signature on an important Project Labor Agreement (PLA), carries our candidates into office and turns out a strong picket line to obtain a signed contract.
VOTE members participate in a reward program based on the amount of volunteer hours they contribute during a designated cycle. Gifts are awarded to volunteer activists in district award ceremonies. VOTE Volunteers of the Year are recognized before the membership at Semi-Annual meetings.
When Local 3 members help the Local 3 staff with VOTE activities, it allows more available staff time to focus on quality service to the membership. Because of increased member participation, staff hours devoted to VOTE activities have decreased in recent election cycles, and VOTE activities and actions have increased.
Increasing the political power of labor organizations is vital to Local 3’s future. Unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation reform, overtime regulations and safety standards undergo constant scrutiny by the federal and state government. The work and visibility of the VOTE program in the political arena continues to increase Local 3’s influence and serves to protect and advance issues that directly affect the membership. To learn how you can join the VOTE program, contact your business agent or district office for a schedule of activities in your area
To learn how you can join the VOTE program, contact your business agent or district office for a schedule of activities in your area.