Guild members will vote on a proposal to lower dues at meetings this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The Guild Executive Board wants to reduce dues to help members cope with rising health insurance premiums and stagnant wages.
The board proposes to reduce dues from 1.75 percent to 1.4 percent for members of the Portland unit. For members of the Waterville unit, dues would be reduced from 1.5 percent to 1.4 percent.
Although the company is facing financial challenges, the union’s finances are healthy. Many members have signed up for automatic dues payments, providing stability to the Guild’s finances. If we had everyone paying dues, we could lower the dues even more.
The Executive Board has also decided not to hire a full-time administrative officer to replace Kathy Munroe. Instead, the board proposes that the position of Unit Chair, who helps individual members on issues like unfair disciplinary measures, be paid a stipend of $200 per pay period.
Also, the board proposes to eliminate travel by board members to conferences outside New England, except to vote in contested elections, or for new officers to attend training sessions.
Lowering dues will not weaken the union. Our Local has substantial funds in reserve, and the international pays for our legal costs.
Guild Treasurer Ken Jones will provide a more detailed account of Guild finances at the meetings and answer your questions.
Because members will be voting at these meetings, only dues-paying members will be permitted to attend.
There will also be elections for board seats.
Meetings will be held at the following times and locations:
THURSDAY, Dec. 3
South Portland, 9 a.m.
FRIDAY, Dec. 4
Portland, 1st-floor conference room, noon
Portland, 5th floor break room, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, Dec. 5
South Portland, 6 p.m.